Actors starring in a new film about the life and presidency of Ronald Reagan are speaking about Reagan’s faith in God as well as their own faith.
“All of us have a purpose that is God’s purpose for us here in this world,” Dennis Quaid, who plays the 40th president of the United States in the film, “REAGAN,” said. “You never know how that’s going to come about. That’s what I found in my life.”
Quaid, along with Jon Voight and Penelope Ann Miller, spoke with Our Sunday Visitor ahead of the film’s release in theaters nationwide on Aug. 30. The movie, rated PG-13, follows Reagan’s rise to the presidency and his role in the downfall of the Soviet Union, as told by former KGB agent, Viktor Petrovich (Voight). The two hour, 15 minute film also tells a love story — that of Reagan and his wife, Nancy (played by Miller) — and a story of faith.
“There’s a spiritual root that gave him strength all the way through his life and especially called upon him when he was president,” Voight said of Reagan.
Instead of setting out to be a politician, Reagan originally wanted to be an actor, Quaid said. When his Hollywood career went downhill, Reagan became president of the Screen Actors Guild — a job no actor actually wants, Quaid said. That job, he added, became Reagan’s entry into politics.
“I think that that’s how God works when it comes to our purpose — and sometimes you don’t realize it until afterwards,” said Quaid, who was raised Baptist and has publicly spoken about his faith and its role in his recovery from addiction.
He added: “You got to be careful what you ask God for, because he just might give it to you.”
In addition to his faith, Reagan had the love and support of his wife, Nancy, Miller said.
“It’s a biopic with this major love story that I think is what makes it the heart of the film; it’s, I think, what drives this man to become what he become[s],” she described.
A story of faith
Throughout the film, many nods to faith appear, including one scene where Reagan’s mother tells him that God has a purpose for his life.
“His mom was very spiritual and was his guide in his youth, and she was influential in telling him about Jesus and God,” Voight said.
Voight, who was raised Catholic, said that his own faith, in part, impacted his decision to take on his role. He revealed that he had a picture of Jesus placed in the film, suggesting that there’s more going on beneath the surface with his character.
“I play an older spy who’s retired, and I’m talking to a young guy who’s got political aspirations in Russia, and I’m trying to teach him a few things — and one of the things that I put in, that I asked to be put in, is a nice picture of Jesus, it’s just in the corner by the books,” he described.
“I said, make sure [the young guy] sees that, because once he sees that … it’ll give him an indication of something else is going on with me,” he said of his character, who was once a part of the Soviet Union, which embraced atheism.
He called the film, as a whole, meaningful on a spiritual level.
“Because we’re talking about certain values and we’re talking about God’s wishes for our behavior on this planet that we’re on,” he said.
For his part, Quaid said that Reagan’s faith “affected everything.”
“He certainly took it to the White House, that’s for sure,” he said. “I think that he also had moments of silence from God, like we all have, and I think he had moments of temptation. I think he had moments of trials with his life, like everybody else.”
Miller added that Reagan had principles, and Quaid agreed, saying that Reagan lived and governed by them.
A story of love
Miller called the film, which follows the relationship of Reagan and Nancy from their first meeting to their journey through the White House, “very much a love story” and spoke about Nancy’s belief in her husband’s purpose and greatness.
To prepare for her role as Nancy, Miller did in-depth research, reading books written by Nancy, including her autobiography, and books written by people who worked with her, she said. She also looked at photographs and interviews.
“I did everything I could possibly do because I had big shoes to fill — or little ones, you know, because Nancy was little,” she said of the former first lady. “I really wanted to honor her legacy.”
“I hope she’s proud of what I’ve done because when you’re playing a real person, it’s pretty daunting because everyone’s going to compare you,” she added. “But also I feel like she’s looking down on us, as is Ronald.”
