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The Assassination of Richard Nixon, 2004

Starring: Sean Penn, Naomi Watts

Directed by: Niels Mueller

Written by: Niels Mueller

Language: English

Country: USA, Mexico

Runtime: 95 min

MPAA Rating: TV_MA

Rating:7.1

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Profile of The Assassination of Richard Nixon

The Assassination of Richard Nixon can be described as gloomy, emotional, and rough. The plot revolves around an assassination attempt, a losing-it hero, and social misfits. The main genres are drama, independent, and crime. In approach, it is serious and realistic. It takes place during the Vietnam War. It is originally a true story. Note that it involves profanity and violent content.

Summary of The Assassination of Richard Nixon

Sean Penn gives yet another remarkable performance as troubled soul Sam Bicke in Niels Mueller's debut feature film, The Assassination of Richard Nixon. As the Watergate scandal is breaking and President Nixon can be seen all over the television and newspapers, Bicke struggles to earn money as an office furniture salesman as he tries to win back his estranged wife, Marie (a brunette Naomi Watts). He has grand plans of starting a mobile tire store with his friend Bonny (Don Cheadle), but he is so blinded by truth and honesty that he stands in the way of his own potential success. His rage continues to build as he sees another man spending time with Marie and the kids until he cannot control it any longer and resolves to kill Nixon, whom he blames for all of society's ills. Mueller, who cowrote the script with Kevin Kennedy, tells the story in a series of flashbacks as Bicke dictates into a tape recorder the sad details of his life to composer Leonard Bernstein, the only person he thinks will understand him. Penn immerses himself in this difficult, challenging role, playing a simple man on the verge of exploding. From the way he covets his mustache to how he reacts when he's around Marie, Penn embodies Bicke, who sees himself as representative of the loss of the American dream. Based on true events, the film also deals with the racism and sexism that was rampant in the early-to-mid-1970s.

Details

Language:	English
Country:	USA, Mexico
Release date:	29 December 2004
Runtime:	95 min

Cast and Crew See all

Sean Penn

as Samuel J. Bicke

Naomi Watts

as Marie Andersen Bicke

Photos See all

Sean Penn and Naomi Watts in The Assassination of Richard Nixon (2004)

Don Cheadle in The Assassination of Richard Nixon (2004)

Sean Penn in The Assassination of Richard Nixon (2004)

Sean Penn and Naomi Watts in The Assassination of Richard Nixon (2004)

Sean Penn in The Assassination of Richard Nixon (2004)

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The Assassination of Richard Nixon: Theatrical

Critics Reviews See all

Los Angeles Times

It's a deeply affecting performance, and it drives this quietly powerful, unrelenting film. Full Review

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by: Carina Chocano

Rolling Stone

This riveting film qualifies as the anti-crowd-pleaser -- but Penn makes it unthinkable to turn away. Full Review

|
by: Peter Travers

Users Reviews See all

29.March.2010
|
by: Democritus
Democritus rated this movie0/10

I guess this was a tax write-off---why else would they give it such a truly terrible title, unless they wanted to make sure no one would want to see it after hearing the name of it? But I gave it a chance, and to be honest, it was second priority as I was doing something else, and thinking I would turn it off in a few minutes. But I kept it on, and it drew me in. In part, Sean Penn's utterly sincere performance as a nice guy who wants the world to be pure, when it is not, is what kept me going, although I knew it would not be a cheery story the further it went. But his portrayal of totally ordinary life---both very much that of Nixon's 1974, but also any other time--is effective. Besides being a put-off, the title misleads you about what 90% of the movie is actually about: the look into the life of a salesman in a furniture store, which is right on the money in terms of finding the right smile and right pep talk, without being clichéd. Though he has two nice young kids, his wife had tired of his moods, and rebuffs his overtures at reconciliation. He is sort of a grown-up Holden Caulfield: even the most normal little sales blandishments and polite lies cut him to the heart. And as may sometimes be the case, those who are so deeply wounded, with no where to go, act out their frustration in odd ways. If you don't want to see the tragic inevitable ending for his character, turn it off before the last ten minutes---you will get a good sympathetic character study up to then to stay with. But, geez--that title. (How about, say, "Do Unto Others," or "America Dreamed" as alternates?) 3.10 ---- (The new Ben Stiller movie "Greenberg" may be similar in some ways, but with a happier ending.)

29.March.2010
|
by: Democritus

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Don't be put off by the title -- "The Assassination of Richard Nixon" isn't a documentary or even political. It's a great, tight drama about a loser who increasingly blames his failures on "the system." You probably know someone like that (not as... Read and rate it

19.March.2009
|
by: Vic
Vic rated this movie8/10Great

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