Studio backing afforded the filmmakers a particularly lavish production for their speculative look at the future U.S. President during his time as Ambassador to France. Playing Thomas J., Nick Nolte talks politics with monarch Michael Lonsdale and eyes married Greta Scacchi—and servant Thandie Newton, whose grown son James Earl Jones narrates. With Gwyneth Paltrow, whose portrayal might uneasily remind you of another First Daughter, and an Ismail Merchant cameo.