The Assassination of Richard Nixon is a extremely powerful film. This great film documents more than the life and death of a perticular assassin; it brilliantly illustrates the death of the American Dream. Indeed, this is the central theme of the movie and what ties it all together.
The Assassination brings us into the life of Samuel Bicke, a recently divorced disgrunteled salesman who is mad as hell and isn't going to take it anymore. It is the mad story of a true man who feels that nobody can do anything to stop the corruption and greed of the country. A single grain of sand usually can't make any difference, but Bicke is out to prove that if you believe in yourself and see yourself as you want, you can become that person and get what you want done. This movie really gets into the heart of Bicke, who defines the word "disgruntled."
Parts of the film might remind you of a depressing verison of Office Space, as Bicke is a usually meek worker with a uncaring boss. It also might remind you of Taxi Driver, as in Taxi Driver there is a main character who fits the same role as the disgruntled, obsessive employee about to snap. Plus it helps that DeNiro's character is named "Travis Bickle", which isn't that far from the name "Samuel Bicke." Not to mention, Travis Bickle attempts to assassinate the President as well.
The Assassination is a very moody and emotional film. I actually felt a bit depressed while watching it. Sean Penn plays an amazing role as Bicke, a performance so believeable and so utterly realistic that we can't help but feel many of the same emotions Bicke goes through. The supporting cast include Naomi Watts and Don Cheadle.
It's unfortunate that this film went almost completely under the radar in it's release. It is out on dvd now, so I suggest you rent it.
4 stars
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