Aaron Sorkin Movies
Despite being a writer whose impressive list of credits boasts The West Wing, the show considered by many viewers and critics to be the best American television series of the early millennium, Aaron Sorkin would be the first to admit the paralyzing fear that greets him every time he starts a new script. Though at first things may be slow going for the Emmy winner, once he gets going and the dialogue starts flowing, there's almost literally no stopping him. A New York native who graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Theater, Sorkin's initial bid for onscreen credit gradually waned as his reputation as a notable playwright grew due to the success of his play Hidden in the Picture. When his 1989 Broadway play A Few Good Men was turned into the 1992 feature that proved a runaway hit, Hollywood took notice. Sorkin next penned the screenplay for the 1993 thriller Malice; the feature was only lukewarmly received by critics and audiences, and was later overshadowed by his screenplay for the 1995 political romantic comedy The American President. This was followed by work as writer and executive producer on the universally hailed, but inexplicably short-lived, series Sports Night, and soon Sorkin was one of the most talented writers working in television. As popular as Sports Night was with critics and audiences, however, it was his next series that brought Sorkin his biggest success to date. Molded from dialogue left over from his bloated 385-page screenplay for The American President (most screenplays average only 120 pages), his initial scripts for the political TV series The West Wing were smart, fast-paced, and, according to Washington insiders, uncannily spot-on. Sorkin was arrested in April 2001 when authorities at Burbank Airport discovered hallucinogenic mushrooms, marijuana, and crack in his baggage; the writer was later ordered into a drug diversion program. By the time he announced his departure from The West Wing in May 2003, he had claimed three Emmys for his efforts and many thought the show had reached its creative peak. As he bid farewell to the NBC show, Sorkin was rumored to be preparing a series based on the backstage banter of a Saturday Night Live-style comedy sketch series. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide- 2001
The West Wing launches its third season with this special stand-alone episode, designed to address the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Producer Aaron Sorkin briefly interrupts the series' continuity (involving possible impeachment charges against President Jed Bartlett [Martin Sheen]) with a poignant hour-long glimpse behind the doors of the White House during an emergency lockdown in the wake of a 9/11-style disaster. Among those sequestered in the building are a group of gifted high-school students, for whom Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford) is conducting a guided tour. In the course of a very tense evening, Josh and the students come in contact with several other staffers, each one offering an opinion or reflection on the national crisis. Much to the students' surprise, President Bartlet himself shows up to field their questions and to mollify their fears (though ostensibly he is wandering the halls in search of a baked apple!). In a pointed reference to possible repercussions following the "real" 9/11 tragedy, one of Bartlet's aides finds his security clearance in question because of his Islamic background. Its title referring to a parable found in the pages of both the Bible and the Koran, "Isaac and Ishmael" was one of the most controversial -- and most memorable -- episodes of the 2001-2002 season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Its scheduled telecast delayed because of news coverage of the 9/11 tragedy, this "official" opening episode of The West Wing's third season (the first of two parts) finds the Bartlet White House in turmoil after President Jed Bartlet (Martin Sheen) has made public the fact that he has multiple sclerosis. Inasmuch as there is talk of impeachment because the president kept his medical condition a secret for too long, Press Secretary C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney) is bombarded with nagging and downright hostile questions from a group of reporters -- an experience that causes C.J. to lose her famous cool entirely. In other developments, Bartlet's decision to run for a second term has caused friction between Jed and First Lady Abbey Bartlet (Stockard Channing); the growing crisis in Haiti is sorely affecting the work performance of National Security Advisor Nancy McNally (Anna Deavere Smith); and Chief Counsel Oliver Babish (Oliver Platt) advises presidential aide Charlie Young (Dulé Hill) to hire a lawyer in case he is accused of complicity in the MS "cover-up." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
In the conclusion of The West Wing's "official" third-season opener, political consultants Bruno Gianelli (Ron Silver), Connie Tate (Connie Britton), and Doug Wegland (Evan Handler) cross swords with the presidential staff over the issue of Bartlet's impending re-election campaign. C.J. (Allison Janney) suffers the repercussions of her press-conference "meltdown" and endeavors to keep the press corps from assuming that Bartlet (Martin Sheen) is worried about winning a second term. The situation involving the Haitian dictator comes to a boil -- and a solution. And Leo (John Spencer) is ordered to pull political strings to postpone the FDA's announcement on the controversial drug RU-486. Like the first part of "Manchester," part two is framed in a flashback format, recalling the events leading up to Bartlet's decision to run again despite the controversy surrounding his medical condition. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Sam (Rob Lowe) and Bruno (Ron Silver) set aside their differences in hopes of persuading labor leader Victor Campos (Miguel Sandoval) to throw his support toward President Bartlet's re-election campaign. As Congress battles over the estate-tax issue, the governor of California takes issue with the ecology-driven decision made by Bartlet (Martin Sheen) to let a huge forest fire burn itself out. The staff goes into spin mode to attack Special Prosecutor Rollins (Nicholas Pryor) as he investigates the possibility that Bartlet's cover-up of his medical condition is an impeachable offense. And Donna (Janel Moloney) is set up on a fateful date with a Republican named Clifford Calley (Mark Feuerstein). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
The staff tries to prevent President Bartlet's estate-tax veto from being overridden by the GOP. Bartlet (Martin Sheen) himself turns on the old charm with Jack Buckland (Kevin Tighe), a Democratic governor who is thinking of running for president against Jed. Presidential aide Charlie Young (Dulé Hill) is encouraged by one and all to accept an immunity deal when called to testify in the investigation of the MS "cover-up." And C.J. (Allison Janney) crosses swords with obstreperous TV entertainment reporter Sherri Wexler (Mary Mara). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
While President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) is in Hollywood for a fundraiser hosted by politically active homosexual movie mogul Ted Marcus (Bob Balaban), Leo (John Spencer) is back in Washington politicking Vice President Hoynes (Tim Matheson) to vote the White House's position on an important tax bill that is currently in a 50-50 tie on the floor of the Senate. Meanwhile in L.A., Josh (Bradley Whitford) happily learns that political strategist Joey Lucas (Marlee Matlin) is staying in the same hotel as he is, and Bartlet meets his daughter Zoey's (Elisabeth Moss) new Secret Service bodyguard, Gina Toscano (Jorja Fox). ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2000
This episode of The West Wing is structured as a flashback while Josh (Bradley Whitford) addresses a college class on the day-to-day workings of the White House. Toby (Richard Schiff) and Sam (Rob Lowe) must travel to Connecticut in order to smooth over troubles when Bartlet's (Martin Sheen) nominee for the Supreme Court, Roberto Mendoza (Edward James Olmos), is arrested for drunk driving. Media feeding frenzies abound when the African-American head of Housing and Urban Development, Debbie O'Leary (CCH Pounder), accuses a Republican leader of being a racist, and when Josh, subbing at a press conference for suddenly sick C.J. (Allison Janney), claims that the president possesses a "secret plan" to prevent inflation. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2000
President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) has 48 hours to commute the death sentence of a man convicted of a controversial murder after the Supreme Court refuses to stop the execution. While struggling with the moral, ethical, legal, and religious issues of his decision, he calls on his former priest, Father Thomas Cavanaugh (Karl Malden) for guidance. Toby (Richard Schiff) weighs in on the topic after having a conversation about the death penalty with his rabbi (David Proval). Political strategist Joey Lucas (Marlee Matlin) wants to ask the president why her candidate has not received enough money from the Democratic National Committee. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2000
While Josh (Bradley Whitford) and Sam (Rob Lowe) deal with the political fallout from the attacks on Leo's (John Spencer) previous addictions, Toby (Richard Schiff) matches wits with elected officials who have attempted to stifle the Public Broadcasting Corporation. The entire staff must figure out the proper response to a recently released sexual education study, as well as figure out how to uninvite the father of a hate-crime victim to an important bill signing upon learning that he was apparently not sympathetic toward his gay son's sexual orientation. C.J. (Allison Janney) continues her flirtation with reporter Danny Concannon (Timothy Busfield). ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Abigail Bartlet (Stockard Channing) makes some bold statements concerning policy during an appearance on a talk show, causing a rift between her staff and the White House staff. When the head of the Federal Reserve passes away, President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) must consider appointing his wife's college boyfriend to the position. Toby (Richard Schiff) is asked by Josh (Bradley Whitford) to soften his prickly persona before attending a sensitive meeting with a powerful member of Congress. Charlie (Dulé Hill) and Zoey (Elisabeth Moss) clash over what to do when the Secret Service asks them not to attend a public event together because of credible death threats from racists. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Serious health problems befall the White House as President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) passes out while preparing for the State of the Union Address, and Leo (John Spencer) publicly admits to his previous addictions to alcohol and pain killers. Lord Marbury (Roger Rees) finds a peaceful solution to the Pakistan/India issue. C.J. (Allison Janney) and Leo's daughter, Mallory (Allison Smith), each reveal romantic feelings for men in their lives. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2000
President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) seeks out the advice of Lord Marbury (Roger Rees), whose intelligence in diplomatic affairs is matched only by his eccentricities, when a possible nuclear exchange could transpire between Pakistan and India. Mandy (Moira Kelly) desires to find out how the staff would feel if she were to represent a liberal Republican. Josh (Bradley Whitford) is forced to testify at a hearing concerning substance abuse among White House staffers. Charlie (Dulé Hill) and Zoey Bartlet (Elizabeth Moss) plan the best way to approach the president about the possibility of them dating. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Draft day proves to be catastrophic for many relationships amongst the Sports Night crew. Casey (Peter Krause) and Dan (Josh Charles) quite nearly come to blows after Dan purposefully embarrasses Casey on air, after learning of Casey's significant role in Dan's career during a previous heated exchange the two had in their office prior to show time. Jeremy (Joshua Malina) learns that Jenny (Paula Marshall) will be making a visit to the studio, much to his horror. He convinces her to go along with his idea of convincing everyone she's a choreo-animator, but once she arrives on set Jenny immediately strikes up lively conversations with Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) and Dana (Felicity Huffman). Soon, she changes her mind about Jeremy's deception, as well as her feelings for Jeremy. Dana, in the meantime, has been afflicted with a skin rash she steadfastly attributes to falling on her face -- but she eventually confesses to Casey that the condition is really due to anxiety. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 2000
After finishing up the night's program, Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) rounds up the crew for a game of Celebrities -- but her ex-boyfriend Jeremy (Joshua Malina) is left out of the mix. Jeremy wanders out to a nearby bar and begins a conversation with a very beautiful woman named Jenny (Paula Marshall). As Jeremy begins to muster up the courage to ask her out, he makes the startling realization that Jenny is a porn star. Meanwhile, Dan (Josh Charles) learns that the 100 Most Influential People in Sports list has come out and he isn't in it. Casey (Peter Krause), however, is listed at number 92, leaving Dan extremely envious. Isaac (Robert Guillaume) becomes aggravated when he begins forgetting things -- especially things that he holds dear, such as his grandson's name or lyrics to a song from a musical. Back in the bar, Jeremy and Jenny have an awkward discussion about Jenny's line of work until the adult film star asks Jeremy to join her and her friends for the evening. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Newly broken up, Jeremy (Joshua Malina) and Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) attempt to go about their work with mixed success. The two continue to bicker as Jeremy tries to get his belongings out of Natalie's apartment -- leaving both of them with misplaced anger and resentment. Elsewhere, Casey (Peter Krause) returns from an eye exam that left his pupils dilated, thus creating a temporary blindness. Dan (Josh Charles) takes advantage of Casey's situation by playing a number of pranks on his cohort. While learning the truth about Jeremy and Natalie, Dana (Felicity Huffman) begins to feel a little disappointment about today being Sam's (William H. Macy) last day on set and spontaneously asks him to spend some time with her later that night. Having done a report on a riot that broke out at Madison Square Garden the night before, Sports Night receives a subpoena from NYPD for the taped footage of the riot, which Dana and Isaac (Robert Guillaume) have no problems complying with but leaves Natalie infuriated until she finally breaks down from the devastation she feels after her split with Jeremy. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Still grappling with his recent psychiatric visits, Dan (Josh Charles) decides he'll skip his next visit with Dr. Abby Jacobs (Jayne Brook), but instead goes to her office and rattles off his day's highlights for the full length of his appointment. Later, back in the studio, he and the rest of the Sports Night crew are bribed by Casey (Peter Krause) -- who uses ethnic food as a bargaining chip -- into staying up to watch a track and field competition in New Zealand. As they watch the event, a nearly washed-up athlete breaks the long-standing long jump record -- only to watch his record fall minutes later by another, previously unknown athlete. Since the championship will be seen during the regular broadcast day tomorrow on tape delay, a decision must be made about whether to pre-empt tomorrow's broadcast with the historic news. Jeremy (Joshua Malina) begins to feel badly about giving porn actress Jenny (Paula Marshall) the cold shoulder, especially now that he thinks he likes her. Caught in a thunderstorm while out and about, Dana (Felicity Huffman) takes refuge in a church -- which eerily coincides with a conversation about attending church that she had with Isaac (Robert Guillaume). ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 2000
With the NFL draft looming, Dana (Felicity Huffman) and Casey (Peter Krause) make bets about its outcome -- which fuels their already antagonistic relationship. The rest of the staff are excited about the possibility of covering the draft, which depends on whether it rains or not in Indian Wells. Dan (Josh Charles), who has long been struggling with many and sundry issues, still holds some residual jealousy toward Casey and his inclusion on the infamous Influential People in Sports list -- which causes some friction between the longtime friends. Also, he is forced to cancel a round of golf with pro golfer David Duval due to the constraints of his job. As a result, Dan develops a disgruntled attitude at work that starts to interfere with his job performance. Meanwhile, Jeremy (Joshua Malina) is struggling to come to terms with the fact he's dating a porn star. While eager to tell everyone -- particularly his ex-girlfriend Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) -- about Jenny, he is still unable to tell everyone what she really does for a living. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 2000
The Sports Night crew is ecstatic over landing an interview with basketball legend Michael Jordan until the strict terms of the interview laid out by the Jordan camp are revealed. The hoops superstar's intentions are to only discuss his new line of cologne and no sports questions are to be allowed, while total editorial control is to be passed onto Jordan's representatives. Dana (Felicity Huffman), Isaac (Robert Guillaume), and returned ratings expert Sam Donovan (William H. Macy) firmly refuse the terms and the interview. While negotiating the terms of the interview, Sam makes the acquaintance of Dana's longtime rival Sally (Brenda Strong), who casually proceeds to dump her sexual history onto the disinterested ratings guru. Meanwhile, Casey (Peter Krause) is worried about an upcoming visit he is to make to his son Charlie's classroom. As he scrambles to prepare some sort of presentation, Casey also begins to notice that Sam and Dana are working together much more compatibly than they used to. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Casey (Peter Krause) has quickly worked his way through a string of dates -- per Dana's (Felicity Huffman) request -- and while out on his eighth, he runs into date number one, Pixley Robinson (Megan Ward). Having been somewhat smitten with her since their sole aborted date, Casey approaches her and asks for her phone number -- which she refuses to give him, instead asking for his. Back in the studio, Jeremy (Joshua Malina) informs Dan (Josh Charles) that Isaac (Robert Guillaume) was present at the legendary 1951 Giants/Dodgers playoff game that started Dan's love affair with sports. Inspired to do a segment about the game featuring an interview with Isaac, Dan approaches the elder newsman only to get the idea shot down. As Dan sets out to figure out why Isaac is so insistent, word gets back to Dana about Casey giving Pixley his phone number, forcing Dana to realize her dating plan for Casey was a major mistake. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 2000
A sportscaster's nightmare occurs when a highly touted prizefight ends after only seven seconds into the first round, leaving the Sports Night crew with the remaining 89 minutes and 53 seconds that was dedicated to the fight. Dan (Josh Charles) and Casey (Peter Krause) fly into super-stall mode, while coming to the realization that their fight commentator Chuck Kimmel (Allen Garfield) is not only vastly underqualified to be on television, but he's also drunk and a complete loon. Meanwhile, Dan's psychiatric well-being meets another obstacle when his father Jay (Peter Riegert) comes to town for a visit and begins berating Dan on nearly every aspect of his life. As the show begins its slow decent into an absurd chaos, Dana (Felicity Huffman) agonizes over what may be a missed romantic opportunity with Casey, who is now smitten with one of the women Dana made him go out on a date with. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
