Emily Rose

The story of Andrew Jackson is one of a noble man. The seventh president of the United States, an army general, a lawyer and a judge, Jackson held many titles all of which he performed at his best. His biography put in writing by Robert V. Remini in the book The Life of Andrew Jackson tells the story of a hard headed, cold, but brave man. Married to Rachel Donelson majority of his life he sought to be remembered for all his hard work and leadership. His marriage and somae contributions were reenacted in the movie The President's Lady, told from the perspective of his wife. The movie however doesn't give the most accurate account of the events of his life nor does it go into grave detail about what took place. It's merely a love story mainly giving insight to what went on between Andrew and Rachel throughout their life together.

The movie starts off in 1789 and opens on a scene outside of Rachel's home. It's the story of how they first met. It appeared to be love at first sight as he watched her through the window of her mom's cabin. A friendship began that day, one that would later lead to a life of unity and happiness between the two. However there were things that complicated their future together. Rachel was married and though she wanted desperately out of her marriage the only way out was if her husband, Lewis Robard, freed her of her title as his wife. He refused to do so until he had found out about her close relationship with Andrew Jackson. He thought she was committing adultery with him and wouldn't allow her name to go untarnished. He requested a divorce from her. A request that wasn't granted right away but after a stir of events the divorce was finalized. Her divorce from Lewis put a damper on her relationship with Andrew one that stuck with them for the remainder of their lives together.

Telling the story from Rachel's perspective helps keep the story on a happy note. It offers insight into their personal life together opposed to the controversies of Andrew's business affairs. The mood is set and held up by scenes of happiness, dancing, and joyous times helping to keep the viewer's attention by showing the love that Andrew and Rachel had for each other. It offers insight into their personal life from a home view. Its mood is mainly for the female viewer as some females appreciate a good love story opposed to one of war, murder, and massacre. Having told the story from Andrew's perspective there's a risk of boring the female viewer.

Though the film alters the dates of the actual events it does tell the story from the era which it took place. It was produced in black and white not for timeline purposes but because it was made in 1853 when color televisions weren't popular. No color was needed however, to see that the clothes worn by the actors were the attire of the people in that time. Women wore large puffy gowns and laced them up so tight that they were almost unable to breathe. Men wore riding pants with ruffled shirts and boots adorned with tricorn hats on their heads. The weapons used back then were just like the ones Andrew carried, muskets and handguns. All of these things were typical late 18th early 19th century props. The film writer had no problem setting the stage for the film and helping the viewer better understand how life was during those times.

The role of Andrew Jackson, played by Charles Heston, only gives you a taste of what the actual Jackson was like. He's shown as a coy, loving, dashing gentleman who would do anything for his wives happiness. The book on the other hand tells of the dedicated, persistent Jackson who did whatever it took to get to where he wanted to be in life. He took all necessary actions to reach his goals of becoming a politician and an excellent leader even if that meant leaving his wife behind. He fought wars and arranged duels with men to maintain his fear in man and show that he wasn't someone to be reckoned with. The movie only shows him going away to these wars and coming back but never the actual scenes from any of the wars or duels. The story may have been shown without these gruesome acts so as to not depict Andrew in any way that would make you question why Rachel would marry a man like himself. They want you to see Andrew as Rachel had seen him, as a man who could do no wrong, a man whom she would love regardless of anything.

The violence of the film was minimal but there were some important events that were shown. The cause of majority of the violence in the film was based off the act of adultery committed