Speechless, the political romantic comedy starring Michael Keaton and Geena Davis, recently received a new printing on Blu-ray. Sans any bonus features, it was released just slightly ahead of the film’s 30th anniversary.

Behind the camera, City Slickers‘ Ron Underwood directs while The Good Wife/The Good Fight co-creator Robert King pens the screenplay. At first glance, I thought, well, maybe the script was inspired by James Carville and Mary Matalin’s relationship. It might surprise you to know that no, it was not written after their relationship become public. Obviously, the whole idea of political opposites in a relationship makes for an intriguing premise to a romantic comedy, less so a drama. The basic premise of Speechless is that speechwriters for opposing candidates meet and fall in love with each other. In a funnier bit of casting, we have the added twist of Batman and Superman vying for the same love interest.

Republican speechwriter Kevin Vallick (Michael Keaton) and Democratic speechwriter Julia Mann (Geena Davis) are staying at the same hotel. Neither of them sleep well and meet while attempting to purchase the gift shop’s last package of Nydol sleep medication. Neither one realizes that the other is working for their candidate’s rival. Kevin left TV comedy and now writes for Republican candidate Ray Garvin (Ray Baker) while Julia is writing for Democratic candidate Lloyd Wannamaker (Mitchell Ryan).

The film could have done a better job at diving into the political drama taking place behind the scenes. Robert King’s script chooses to focus on the romance between the two speechwriters. Aside from the political bribery, the main situations ripe for comedy are Kevin working with ex-wife Annette (Bonnie Bedelia) and Julia’s estranged fiancé, television corresponded Robert “Baghdad Bob” Freed (Christopher Reeve). Freed attempts to repair their relationship. But like any romantic comedy, there’s a happy ending at the end of the day. On one level, the film tries to throw it back to the old school style of romantic comedies. But at the same time, when you’ve seen one rom-com, you’ve seen them all. Outside of Keaton and Davis, the political aspect is what piqued my interest.

Having watched a pair of political films from filmmaker Rod Lurie (Deterrence, The Contender) early into 2025, it probably comes as no surprise that I finally pulled out my recent copy of Speechless. This one has nothing to do with the critic-turned-filmmaker–it’s just that it also deals with politics. As for as the film being a comedy, I can say that I laughed just enough. The comedy in Speechless comes in spurts and there are stretches where it certainly drags a bit. There’s a part in the film where both of them address students at a career day. This is when both of them realize they are dating the opponent so to speak.

The laughs in Speechless may feel like it is few and far between but when the comedy works on screen, it really works.

DIRECTOR: Ron Underwood
SCREENWRITER: Robert King
CAST: Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Christopher Reeve, Bonnie Bedelia, Ernie Hudson, Charles Martin Smith, Gailard Sartain, Ray Baker, Mitchell Ryan, Willie Garson, Paul Lazar, Richard Poe

MGM released Speechless in theaters on December 16, 1994. Grade: 3.5/5

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