Mail to the Chief

2000 1h 25m EN

😐

5.8

MID

★5.8TMDB · 11

ComedyFamilyTV Movie

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A humorous and inspiring adventure about an ordinary middle school student who strikes up an online friendship with someone bearing the screen name Average Joe, only to discover that he's been corresponding with and giving political advice to the President of the United States.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Randy Quaid
President A. Thorton Osgood II
Bill Switzer
Kenny Witkowski
Holland Taylor
Katherine Horner
Ashley Gorrell
Heather Boyd
Martin Doyle
Brooks
Elisha Cuthbert
Madison Osgood
Craig Eldridge
Jack
Patrick Galligan
Collings

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Eric Champnella
Writers: Eric Champnella
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

85 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

26 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Eric Champnella, shot by Albert J. Dunk. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Peter Bernstein. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Jeff Gourson shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Randy Quaid and Bill Switzer and Holland Taylor carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0197655 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 11 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Eric Champnella directs. Albert J. Dunk behind the camera. Peter Bernstein scores. Jeff Gourson cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

185 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
226 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Directed by Eric Champnella, shot by Albert J. Dunk. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Peter Bernstein. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Jeff Gourson shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Randy Quaid and Bill Switzer and Holland Taylor carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt0197655 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 11 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.