This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

The acting in this movie is really good.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

In essence, I approached the show for one reason - Sigourney Weaver, but, there is so much more. For one, Ciaran Hinds has never disappointed and after a potentially flaky start which left me spinning I grew to adore the rambunctious 'Bud Hammond'. The scenes between Weaver and Hinds where joyful with some wonderful dialogue and fizzing one liners.This is not a show which aims for gravitas or to seek out reality, this is hyper-real entertainment that strives to 'do the right thing', entertainment with a principled backbone, (provided you have a liberal sensibility). Issues are touched upon, played with, but not dissected, but you are no less satisfied. It's some kind of hybrid blend of 'Dirty Sexy Money' with elements of 'The West Wing'.Sigourney Weaver anchors the show with a warmth and integrity that allows for the improbable plot devices to work, or, at the very least, be forgiven. The cast around her revelling in the task of matching her formidable screen presence.There are flaws, sub plots that don't quite find there rhythm, improbable scenarios, yet I forgive these for the sheer enthusiasm on display. I usually prefer conspiracy driven TV, all earnest and hand wringing in its complexity, this, on the other hand, is a refreshing spritzer for the long hot summer. Sit back, relax, enjoy.TJ seeks another 'fix', I for one seek another fix of Sigourney Weaver and co.

To say that this show is well written is incorrect. I was very surprised that Ms. Weaver even agreed to be apart of this TV blunder. What TV writers need to know is that the audience needs better writing for those of us with a college education who refuse to watch reality shows and crap TV. I was very disappointed with this show. I don't think I got through the first ten minutes of the show because the writing was so bad. WHen Ms. Weaver's character started dancing on stage at a political rally, that did it for me. I am also wondering why the TV execs thought it would such a great idea to release a mini series about politics while America is in the middle of a campaign. We get enough of the mud slinging during the commercials. I was hoping this mini series was going to be worth watching, but alas, it is not.

Political Animals which is a slightly worn valentine to the Clintons and their lives and times in the White House. It's almost a plea for Hillary Clinton to get back into electoral politics in 2016. No doubt that times were better then and despite the apoplectic fulminations of the religious right we enjoyed Clinton and his escapades in the White House. It would have been better even had we given a Democratic Congress to work in all eight years.Sigourney Weaver plays Elaine Barish formerly Hammond, former first lady and now Secretary of State to President Adrian Pasdar who beat her out in her try to be the first female president. Cannot get closer than that. Her lying, cheating, former president husband is Ciaran Hands who in his performance lets you know why Bill Clinton was called 'Slick Willie' in his youth. They have two sons, steady and reliable James Wolk who is his mother's right hand while keeping on decent relations with his father, not easy, he might have the diplomatic skills to be the Secretary of State. Then there's Sebastian Stan who is the best one in the series. In fact I believe he's one of the best young players around, something I've believed since I saw him guest star in a Law And Order episode several years earlier. He plays the gay second son and the pressure of being the first openly gay child in the White House was too much for him. He's a drug addict and a screw-up and causing one major distraction while Weaver and Hands as the presidential envoy are trying to deal with another hostage crisis in Iran.The whole series is narrated and seen through the eyes of Carla Gugino who is a news reporter who got some forced insights into the Hammond family covering up a story about Stan's suicide which got out anyway.This mini-series is interesting and no doubt topical. You'll want to see the next episodes as much as I do.

My mother and I were sitting down to watch TV the other night and were intrigued by the ads for the show Political Animals so we decided to check it out. We were enjoying the storyline and character dynamics in the show when we were suddenly shocked by the graphic content in the show. Our first shock was the naked sex scene between the former president and his new wife. We were completely appalled but, wanting to give the show the benefit of the doubt that it may be a one-time occurrence, we continued to watch... only to be mortified by the continued explicit content, not in language, but the visually graphic portrayals of bulimia, drug content, and repeated graphic sex. Shocked at what we saw, we quickly pulled up the show's info to check the rating and were even more surprised to see that the show was rated "PG" on USA!I assume that the raciness of the show is intended to grab the young adult audience, but as a 24 year old, I can tell you that that is exactly what turned me off! There are a lot of ways to insinuate such relationships and actions without showing them in their entirety.Aside from my disappointment with the content of the show itself, I am extremely disappointed in USA for airing it and without an appropriate rating at that! While it's appropriate to portray the reality of sex, drug addictions, and eating disorders- neither kids nor adults need to be given a visual "how to" lesson by a TV show!I count on USA for its' family friendly, but highly enjoyable, shows and have been a fan of several shows on the network for years (Psych, Monk, Burn Notice, Royal Pains).This show is NOT appropriate for children of any age!