Wow! Such a good movie.

That was an excellent one.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

"President's Analyst" distills 60's culture, popular ("total sound") and hippie (the promiscuous "Snow White" handing out LSD) and urban neurotic (urgency of couch psychiatry). Not to leave out the Cold War co-dependence, even camaraderie of the Soviet and U.S. spy agencies and the struggle of the smaller players (even Canada!) to make the big scene. It exposes and satirizes the FBI-CIA schism and then there's unseen but pervasive corporate dominance over both. Don't forget academic myopia {"I need to write a paper for the Institute on this")and racism (wounds of being called a "nigger" in childhood). Never heard of this James Coburn, Godfrey Cambridge gem? This film is still too hot to handle for most film lists and libraries. One of the very best!

This movie made me realize that I had something of a talent for appreciating great motion picture production. I fully agree with nearly all professional movie critics, directors, screen playwrights, authors, etc. that this satire is one of the most underrated films ever made. In fact I regard it as the most underrated film by the general movie-going audience in motion picture history, along with four other films close behind. "The President's Analyst" has always held a very high position on my list of 100 favorite movies, holding the #15 position for the past 12 years. I remember being dismayed and shocked when many of my friends said they didn't consider it very good, ranking it with James Coburn's "Our Man Flint" B-movies. I was absolutely flabbergasted that anyone would categorize this film with those ridiculous spy-action-thriller children flicks. I hate those movies. I remember thinking, "am I the only person on earth who understands and appreciates this beautiful film?" Then I started reading the reviews of well known critics and accomplished film makers, acclaiming it as a cold-war era classic political satire, highly underrated. I remember feeling much better, relieved and vindicated. I personally loved this film from the first time I saw it in 1971, to present; it hasn't lost any of its luster to me. I don't know if anyone could have done a better job playing Dr. Sydney Schaefer than James Coburn. In fact the whole casting was genius as far as I'm concerned. This film attests Coburn's remarkable Oscar-winning spectrum as an actor. I further agree with critics that this film was far "ahead of its time". I consider it a modern turning point in movie satire and comedy style. It somehow applies a light-hearted ambiance to very grim but important modern political subjects, and not only gets away with it, but creates a whole new beautiful style. It mixes everyday people of all walks with heavy big-government international drama. Character development, dialog, acting, editing, screenplay, soundtrack, camera work.. everything is excellent, making a very entertaining and beautiful movie.

Dr. Sidney Schaefer (James Coburn) is picked to be the analyst for the president (never shown or named). However the president's problems begin to affect Schaefer and he gets paranoid and wants to escape from his job and life. He does--but secret agents from all over the world are out to get him because he knows so much...This was not a big hit when it came out. My guess is that it was TOO strong for its time--a lot of severe editing happened before it was even released and it was butchered in initial TV showings. But now it's been released uncut and it's been regarded as a classic. The movie is quick, powerful and never stops moving. It basically goes after everybody--the CIA, the FBI, liberals, conservatives, Russians...you name it. It's not really THAT offensive in today's climate (and it is very dated in some respects) but I can only imagine the reaction this got in 1967. The cast is dead on target. Godfrey Cambridge is amusing in a supporting role as is Joan Darling. William Daniels is downright hilarious in his small role. But Coburn holds this together. He's engaging, charismatic and full of life and energy. He's such a likable character you're rooting for him all the way. Every time he flashed that amazing grin I was grinning too! Fast, funny, loads of fun. Sadly I don't think Coburn lived long enough to see this appreciated (he passed away in 2002). It's still not well known but VERY much worth seeking out. Recommended.

James Coburn is "The President's Analyst" in this 1967 dark-humored film also starring Godfrey Cambridge, Severn Darden, Eduard Franz, Will Geer and Barry McGuire. Coburn is Sidney Schaefer, a New York psychiatrist chosen to be the analyst for the President of the United States. It's a great honor and all that, but the assignment turns out to be nothing but trouble. He becomes paranoid and when he starts to believe his girlfriend is a spy, he escapes his many watchers by joining a White House tour and attaching himself to a couple, Bing and Jeff Quantrill (Wiliam Daniels and Joan Darling). Claiming that he works for the President who wants to get a handle on what Americans are thinking, they agree to take him back to the New York suburbs with them. But Sidney can't escape - everyone seems to know where he is, even later on, when he runs away with a group of hippie musicians and dons a wig. One faction of the U.S. government wants him found and returned to Washington; another one, the FBR, wants him dead. All the other countries want him to find out what he knows, or they want him dead so no one else learns anything.There are lots of great things in this film, but the best is the segment with William Daniels and Joan Darling, who play two liberals who have more guns in their house than a gun store. "The people next door are Fascists," Bing says. "They ought to be gassed." With Sidney in Chinatown, government agents approach them to kidnap Sidney. Jeff attacks with karate while Bing shoots to kill - and Sidney takes off.Baby boomers will especially enjoy all the '60 elements. "The President's Analyst" walks a line between satire and the real feelings of the '60s (many of which are still held) about the government. And it succeeds beautifully. James Coburn was an underrated actor who always delivered unique characterizations, and he was never without some underlying humor. You can see the analyst deteriorate - he starts off with an ego as big as New York after getting his assignment, and bit by bit he descends into nervous breakdown-land. The other performances are excellent, from Godfrey Cambridge, Eduard Franz, Will Geer and the rest. But Daniels and Darling - priceless.Excellent film, highly recommended.