But onshore, Admiral Allen admitted the other day in a White House briefing that they needed to be pushed harder.

WHITEHOUSE: Deepwater BP Oil Spill: Presidential Press Conference

True, he taps into certain archetypes in his movies, playing an admiral, a lawyer, a businessman and a White House chief of staff.

NPR: Reagan Sequel? Hard Act for Thompson to Follow

President Obama met today with Secretary Napolitano, Secretary Chu, Secretary Salazar, Administrator Jackson, Administrator Lubchenco, National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen, Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner and other senior White House officials to receive a briefing on the administration-wide response to the Deepwater BP Oil Spill.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

And they include Admiral Stephen Rochon, who wore the uniform for 36 years, then became the Chief Usher at the White House, responsible for keeping us running smooth, day in, day out.

WHITEHOUSE: U.S. Coast Guard Academy Commencement