Stars:
Gene Hackman,
Ray Romano,
Marcia Gay Harden,
Maura Tierney,
Christine Baranski
Director:
Donald Petrie
Summary: Gene Hackman stars as Monroe Cole, a retired US President, who decides to return to his hometown of Mooseport, Maine, to relax and write his memoirs. His idyllic life is soon to be shattered when the locals try to get him to run as mayor of the town. The local hardware store owner, Handy Harrison - played by Ray Romano, is set to run against him. Monroe has two very loyal personal assistants, Grace and Bullard - played by Marcia Gay Harden and Fred Savage, who make sure that every move he makes is the correct one. What should have been a fair race soon turns into all-out war as Handy's sweetheart, Sally - played by Maura Tierney, comes between the two men. The tussle between the essentially good-hearted former president and the spineless but decent plumber along with a foul-mouthed old lady and fat, sassy black woman make this an inoffensive and watchable comedy.
The quiet, charming town of Mooseport, Maine is invaded by the former president of the country in this Capraesque comedy starring Ray Romano and Gene Hackman. Monroe "The Eagle" Cole (Gene Hackman) is a hugely popular Clinton-era former president, who retires to bucolic Mooseport, Maine after a bitter divorce from his wife (Christine Baranski). Coincidentally, Mooseport is in need of a new mayor and Cole steps in to what he thinks will be a one-man race and a much-needed publicity boost. However, local handyman and plumber Handy Harrison (Ray Romano) has entered the race as well, complicating the no-contest election. Handy is a beloved Mooseport local, well-liked but incapable of committing to his long-time girlfriend Sally Mannis (Maura Tierney). Sally has spent the last seven years waiting for Handy to propose and so, when a smitten Cole asks her out on a dinner date, she eagerly accepts in hopes of making Handy jealous. It works, turning the race into a personal and political rivalry as Handy fights not only the mayorship but also to regain Sally's heart. Supporting stars include Marcia Gay Harden and Rip Torn as members of Cole's staff, who help to launch a full-scale campaign in the town of less than a thousand people.