This Merchant-Ivory production is an upscale tabloid expose of the skeletons in the famous president's closet that dishes the dirt--the Sally Hemings affair and Jefferson's possible mulatto children--as if it were fact instead of hotly debated supposition. The Great Man's personality
remains a mystery in this "Masterpiece Theatre" version of a celebrity roast.
1784. As America settles into hard-won democracy, founding father Thomas Jefferson (Nick Nolte) accepts the post of ambassador to France. Grieving for his beloved wife, he encourages his clinging daughter Patsy's (Gwyneth Paltrow's) emotional dependency and treats her as a surrogate spouse and
hostess. Al...
Released:
1995
Rated:
PG-13
Length:
144 mins