Review 178: Nixon
The film is non-linear, framed by scenes of Nixon (Anthony Hopkins) listening to his secret recordings towards the end of his presidency as the Watergate Crisis intensifies. As such, it covers all aspects of Nixon's life as a composite of actual events, usually in the form of memories triggered by the recordings or newsreel-style summaries. It depicts his childhood in Whittier, California, as well as his growth as a young man, football fan and player, and suitor to his eventual wife, Pat Nixon (Joan Allen). It explores most of the important events of his presidency, including his downfall due to abuse of executive power in the White House.
The plot is complex but is a genius work of art, it portrays Nixon as a complex and, in many respects, an admirable person, though deeply flawed. It also creates empathy on Nixon, it's a psychological portrait, it depicts him as man who made big mistakes but who also made big acheivements e.g. recognizing Red China, signing a nuclear treaty with Russia and preziding over the U.S withdraw from Vietnam and his mistakes being the Watergate Crisis and starting the Vietnamies war.
Oliver Stones directing is excellent, the score by John Williams is marvelous, the cinematography is beautiful (in parts of the film its shot in black and white and looks as if it's stock footage and even intermixes archival footage from the era of the film with footage of the actors such as Real life footage of Nixon's state funeral in Yorba Linda, California, plays out over the extended end credits), the use of non-linear is innovative, the costume design is wonderful, the make up is rich, the production design is superb and the scenery is beautiful.
The acting is sensational, Anthony Hopkins is wonderful, he puts on such a fabulous voice, perfect for President Nixon, he doesn't try to mimick Nixon, he suggests him rather than impersonates him and the result is powerful, almost Shakespearian, a performance of a man who tastes both glory and the ashes of his own self defeat. Joan Allen is fantastic as Nixon's wife, Pat Nixon, James Woods and J. T. Walsh are superb as Haldeman and Ehrlichman respectively, Bob Hoskins is great as J. Edgar Hoover, Mary Steenburgen is sensitive as Hannah Nixon and Paul Sorvino is brilliant as Henry Kissinger.
Nixon is a fascinating depiction of one of the most controvertial Presidents-even if it does go on forever.
Comment if you have any ideas or suggestions for this review. 5/5
The Anonymous Critic
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