My Fellow Americans DVD with original artwork featuring Lemmon and Garner
Some comedies rely on youth and slapstick. My Fellow Americans leans into something rarer: experience. This political farce puts two screen legends—Jack Lemmon and James Garner—on a runaway collision course with conspiracy, old grudges, and a whole lot of one-liners. It’s not a satire meant to sting. It’s a road trip comedy with a presidential twist, and this DVD edition keeps the tone light and the pace brisk.
About My Fellow Americans
Synopsis: When a shady cover-up forces two feuding ex-Presidents to go on the run, they're forced to rely on each other to uncover the truth, clear their names, and maybe—just maybe—find a little common ground along the way.
Main Cast:Jack Lemmon, James Garner, Dan Aykroyd, John Heard, Wilford Brimley, Lauren Bacall
Lemmon and Garner trade barbs as only seasoned pros can
🎞️ Performance & Presentation
Jack Lemmon plays Russell Kramer with irritable brilliance—a fussbudget of a former president who thinks he’s the smartest man in the room. James Garner, as Matt Douglas, is smoother and sassier, the kind of politician who wins hearts with a wink and a zinger. Their back-and-forth is the backbone of the film. The script gives them plenty of ammunition, but it’s their delivery that makes it land.
Dan Aykroyd, as the current president, plays the slippery middleman with classic smarm, while John Heard’s Chief of Staff brings a touch of menace under a polished exterior. Wilford Brimley gets a great cameo moment, and Lauren Bacall shows up with trademark grace—even if the role is light.
The editing leans toward traditional comedy rhythm, with setups followed by clean punchlines. The film isn’t trying to reinvent the genre—it’s trying to let two titans of film run wild in the open, and it works.
💡 Visuals & Direction
Director Peter Segal shoots the film like a mid-90s sitcom adventure, which suits the material just fine. There’s plenty of movement—trains, planes, pickup trucks—and each location is chosen to contrast with the stateliness of the men at the center.
Visually, nothing is too stylized, but it doesn’t need to be. The humor comes from seeing these two former commanders-in-chief bicker in diners, argue on hayrides, and outrun agents in the woods. It’s an everyman’s America, and Segal captures that with broad daylight and wide shots.
The physical comedy is restrained, but moments like Lemmon fumbling with a flare gun or Garner sweet-talking a biker bar feel earned. You believe these guys know how to command a nation—but not necessarily a horse.
🔍 What Worked & What Didn’t
✅ Lemmon and Garner’s chemistry is effortless and hilarious
✅ Script delivers constant chuckles with political jabs that still land
✅ Solid pacing makes the road trip plot feel brisk and varied
✅ Strong supporting cast adds flavor without crowding the leads
❌ Visual presentation on DVD is a bit dated—soft in some scenes
❌ Bonus features are minimal, with no commentary or interviews
❌ Some jokes lean on stereotypes that haven’t aged as well
My Fellow Americans Official DVD Preview
✅ Includes full feature film with stereo audio ✅ Starring Jack Lemmon, James Garner, Dan Aykroyd ✅ Simple menu navigation and scene selection ✅ A political buddy comedy that blends satire with slapstick
Family enjoying a cozy movie night on the couch with popcorn
📀 DVD Edition Highlights
The DVD’s transfer is serviceable but not exceptional. The image has noticeable softness, particularly in wide shots, though color balance holds up well. Audio is clean, with dialogue front and center. No subtitle options or language tracks, which is a miss.
Extras are limited to a theatrical trailer and a static scene menu. There’s no insert or slipcase, and no bonus features for fans hoping for deeper context or behind-the-scenes fun. This release is barebones—but functional.
🎯 Who Should Buy My Fellow Americans?
If you’re a fan of Lemmon, Garner, or presidential comedies that don’t take themselves too seriously, this one earns a place on your shelf. It’s also great for anyone nostalgic for 90s studio comedies with heart and style. Don’t expect big spectacle—just big laughs from pros who know how to deliver them.
🕰️ Why It Still Matters
My Fellow Americans may not have set the world on fire, but it did something valuable—it gave two legends a chance to shine one more time. It’s a reminder that comedy doesn’t need to be mean or manic. Sometimes, it just needs two seasoned actors in trench coats yelling at each other across a cornfield. And for that? We salute them.
Final Verdict: A witty, well-paced comedy led by two legends—simple, smart, and still funny after all these years.
ML Lamp is the owner of Kilroy Was Here. After his 20 years of working in Las Vegas in the entertainment promotions field, Mr. Lamp retired in 2002 from his job to pursue his passion for collectibles. Now as a guest speaker and author he’s living the dream, and sharing his warmth with You.
