REAGAN: Stars Dennis Quaid, Penelope Ann Miller and Jon Voight on the Biopic of the 40th President

(light inspiring music) - Hi, Kate. - Hi. - Hi, how are you? - Good, how are you? - I'm all right. So tell me about this love story, 'cause it's one of the things that was the biggest constant in Reagan's political life, but it's not talked about as much as some things. - There wouldn't have been a President Ronald Reagan without a Nancy Reagan. I mean, she didn't make policy decisions, but she protected him. Their love, and the intimacy they had, was everything. And they had an intimacy that the rest of the world... It was just theirs. - Mm-hmm. - And, you know, that strength of having a relationship like that, it really brought out their best selves, I think, in both of them. - Yeah, I think they'd call 'em the power couple because they were really a unit, they were a partnership. But I think everybody is, like yourself, is fascinated with this couple because they were so... Almost you couldn't penetrate this circle that they, there were two halves of a circle, and... But they relied on each other and they had each other's back and their love was very intense. But I also think that that is what catapulted him to become the man he became as President, because of Nancy's support and belief in him. And someone that he could trust, that he could talk to. They may not always agree, but I think the fact that he could, he believed in her, and their love for each other is what I... It's a big, it's the heart of the film, to be honest. So- - In your research, what do you think it was that drew them to each other and welded them together so tightly? - Well, I think he was broken when they met. And he even said, "I would've lost my soul if Nancy hadn't come into my life." And I think he lost faith in marriage and believing that he could find someone that he could trust and that he could let in, because, you know, he had a protective shield on after his first marriage failed. And I think Nancy, he realized, and it took him a little longer, I think Nancy was all in, but I think once he realized that Nancy was truly his partner and the love of his life, and someone who would protect him and be there for him, I think that was just what grew. And that's why he wrote her all these beautiful love notes every day. And there was a book published about it. "I love you, Ronnie." - Yeah, you know, Reagan was the first divorced President that we've had. And, you know, it just really kinda points out about that a relationship, a good relationship, what it can do for your life. The relationship that's also rooted... That God is in the relationship as well. - Mm-hmm. - And that... And relationships could bring out the best or the worst in us. And with Nancy, it was definitely the best. - He sort of, I think about it, kind of an example of second chances, or even third, 'cause he got a great- - Yeah. - Second chance at marriage. - Right. - He had a great second career, and then that flopped, and then he had kind of a third career as President. So what does that say to both of you about taking a chance after failure? - I think you gotta be careful what you ask God for, because He just might give it to you. And He always gives it to you in a way that you go, "Oh no, I didn't mean that." (Kate chuckles) And... You gotta be ready for. - I think, you know, we all have a purpose. And sometimes, like you said, one door closes, another one opens. But they say rejection is God's protection. And so, in a weird way, I think there was a purpose and it wasn't what he thought it was, but it became something else that was even greater. And Nancy believed in his purpose, so... And his greatness. So that's, I think, getting those second chances that we thank God, we do. (laughs) - Man plans, God laughs. - That's right. (laughs) - And I liked, you know, the story of Reagan and Nancy, and the journey, that was very important, to have good films out there, and this could be a nice film for people to see. - What did you think about the idea of framing it with someone who would've been Reagan's opposition, and yet respected him at the same time? - Well, I think you see this character was put on the responsibility of seeing Reagan, following his career, and making judgments about his character, and reporting that to the Soviet hierarchy. That's what his job was. So he had this focus in these folders that he created to share what he had learned. Well, that's a great person to tell the story, isn't it? - Mm-hmm. - He's the guy that's really determining every little step along the way because he sees this guy coming and he sees there's leadership ability in him. He sees how he confronts this, how he does this. And he makes this report. And in the process, he becomes very enamored of this man's character and ability. And then finally he's his fan as he sees what happens to the Soviet Union because of him. So... - He's explaining Reagan's life to this young man, so- - Yeah. - If you were to describe Reagan to a Millennial or a Gen Z American today, well, how would you describe him? - I'd say that he was a person who was full of positive energy and knew exactly what our country was based in, and the structure of our country, based on the founding principles that were given to us by very great men. He knew all of that, and he knew that we had to get back to that because we'd lost our way a little bit at that time he came into the presidency. And so I would say, "Take a look at this guy, and what he did." He did it right. And he gave us... - Mm-hmm. - He was a great blessing for the world. - And he also came back, more than once, from failure. - Yeah. Well- - Like, what is it that Churchill said that success is not final, failure isn't fatal. It's only the will to continue that counts. - Well, God bless you for saying that. That's fantastic. - Well, Winston Churchill said it, I won't take credit. Close enough anyway. - No, I understand, but- - Words to that effect. - No, I understand that. But did you bring that up so that you are attentive to people who are wise in positions of leadership. He's a great man, Winston Churchill. And- - And a few failures himself along the way. - Oh, absolutely. There's nobody that doesn't have failures. We're here.... You know, we're not complete people. We're learning, all of us. Every one of us is here to learn something, to grow stronger and wiser. And we have our... And sometimes the best information comes when we fail. - Mm-hmm. - We learn the most from our failures, perhaps. - As long as you could pull yourself back up and keep going, - That's it. Right. - Well, thank you. - The great people are always tested. And we- - Mm-hmm. - We admire them because we identify that they have fragility, and they have to have strength to overcome some of their weaker aspects, you know? - Absolutely.