The Assassination of Richard Nixon (USA/Mexico) (ThinkFilm) (2004) ****Year: 2004iMDB
Director: Niels Mueller Cast: Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Don Cheadle, Jack Thompson
Based on true events, the movie is about the 1974 assassination attempt on Richard Nixon, by Samuel Bicke (Penn) who tried to hijack a plane and fly it into the White House. Already you can see how a lot of people will find the movie very disturbing in the light of 9/11 events. And that some, knowing Sean Penn's outspoken political views, may interpret the movie as an attack to the current administration, suggesting that the 9/11 idea was not at all a new one. However, whether such conclusions may be drawn, The Assassination of Richard Nixon is a powerful movie, with an amazing portrayal of an every-day man, separated from his wife (Watts), who always felt he was in his brother's shadow in terms of business success, and tries one sales job after another, but does not have what it takes in a world where only the biggest liar succeeds.
Sean Penn's portrayal of Samuel Bicke, although somewhat reminiscent of his I am Sam performance, is likely to be remembered as one of the best character studies in recent years and compared, together with the whole movie, with the intensity of Taxi Driver. Although Bicke might seem at first sight a typical unadapted society failure, his character's complexity is revealed through his letters to Leonard Bernstein, a person which he sees as a pillar of integrity and beauty in a society with corrupt values.
A strong movie which may be remembered for years to come.
Posted by TheCasualCritic on January 13, 2005 10:05 AM | TrackBack