Dennis Quaid’s ‘Reagan’ Loved By Audiences, Hated By Critics

Actor Dennis Quaid appeared on Fox News Sunday to discuss his new historical biopic, “Reagan,” and mentioned the difference between critic ratings and audience scores.

Currently, the film has an 18% critic score and a 98% audience rating on the popular review site, Rotten Tomatoes. Thanks to so many good marks, “Reagan” has also been marked as “Verified Hot” on the new Popcornmeter, meaning it earned more than 500 four-star ratings from verified ticket purchasers.

WATCH: Actor Dennis Quaid discusses his new biopic about President Ronald Reagan. pic.twitter.com/NQdLaNe88H

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When the interviewer asked if Quaid got “a kick out of” the fact that there was such a discrepancy between audience and critic scores, he replied with a laugh, “We had the largest gap in cinema history between critics and audiences.”

As for those critics, he said they “not only panned it, but basically attacked it.” 

“So I guess we must be doing something right, is the way I feel,” Quaid added. 

When urging fans to see “Reagan,” the actor said, “If you were born before 1985, you’ll be able to remember how great this country was. And if you were born after 1985, you can see how great this country still can be.”

Earlier in the conversation, the celeb discussed how he took the role very seriously and initially hesitated to accept the opportunity. “I just remember a bolt of fear going up my spine when I was offered the role,” he said. “Because everybody in the world, they’re gonna know who [Reagan] is and probably have an opinion about him.”

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“He was also my favorite president,” Quaid added. After visiting the Reagan Ranch in Santa Barbara, the actor said he felt better about his ability to take on the part. “I could really feel him there,” he recalled of the late president, who died in 2004.

“That’s when I knew I had a way in, to portray his humanity… him as a person behind the public persona,” he said. 

“Reagan” is based on the 2006 book “The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism” by Paul Kengor. The film, directed by Sean McNamara, stars Quaid as the former president and Penelope Ann Miller as his wife, Nancy. Academy Award winner Jon Voight has a supporting role.

It is currently in theaters nationwide.