The Assassination of Richard Nixon Rated R (for language and a scene of graphic violence)
After seeing "The Assassination of Richard Nixon" it is impossible to let it slip out of your mind. Audiences were blown away by Sean Penn's portrayal of Jimmy in "Mystic River" last year, but his acting in "Mystic River" does not even compare to his sheer tour de force performance in "The Assassination of Richard Nixon." Similar to "Taxi Driver" and "Falling Down," "Assassination" is a character study of an ordinary man reaching his breaking point, but "Assassination" is much more compelling. Penn plays Sam Bicke, a furniture salesman who hates everything about society. His marriage is falling apart, his boss (Jack Thomspon) is a greedy liar who only cares about money. Sam hates the way his wife (Naomi Watts) gets taken advantage of as a waitress because of the revealing clothing she is forced to wear. His only friend is Bonny (Don Cheadle), a mechanic. The two plan on starting a tire business together, in which they would treat the customer fairlysomething Sam's boss does not do. Jack Thompson gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Sam's boss. He appears to be so compassionate, yet underneath the surface, he is Sam's idea of corporate evil. Naomi Watts' takes on her role as Sam's wife with a different, but equally effective kind of force that she used in "21 Grams." Nobody could play Bonny as well as Don Cheadle. He is a man who just wants to make a living and, unlike his friend Sam, tries to ignore society's flaws. As the film progresses, Sean Penn does a miraculous job of playing a man with such emptiness in his life. In one of the most captivating scenes, Bicke sits down with his brother (Michael Wincott) and we get another idea of how this insanity erupted in such a normal citizen. The film builds and builds on Penn's character, showing his catastrophic mental and physical state. Penn steals every moment he is in, from screaming on the telephone to pitifully sitting on his bed. It is an amazing thing to see the talented Sean Penn walk through his everyday life, turning from a flashy, furniture salesman to a psychotic madman. "Assassination" has not yet been released in St. Louis and, even in New York, it is being shown in barely any locations. Despite its limited release, Niels Mueller has made an outstanding directorial debut. He has surely created the most electrifying, and not to mention, the best film of the year.
After seeing "The Assassination of Richard Nixon" it is impossible to let it slip out of your mind. Audiences were blown away by Sean Penn's portrayal of Jimmy in "Mystic River" last year, but his acting in "Mystic River" does not even compare to his sheer tour de force performance in "The Assassination of Richard Nixon." Similar to "Taxi Driver" and "Falling Down," "Assassination" is a character study of an ordinary man reaching his breaking point, but "Assassination" is much more compelling. Penn plays Sam Bicke, a furniture salesman who hates everything about society. His marriage is falling apart, his boss (Jack Thomspon) is a greedy liar who only cares about money. Sam hates the way his wife (Naomi Watts) gets taken advantage of as a waitress because of the revealing clothing she is forced to wear. His only friend is Bonny (Don Cheadle), a mechanic. The two plan on starting a tire business together, in which they would treat the customer fairlysomething Sam's boss does not do. Jack Thompson gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Sam's boss. He appears to be so compassionate, yet underneath the surface, he is Sam's idea of corporate evil. Naomi Watts' takes on her role as Sam's wife with a different, but equally effective kind of force that she used in "21 Grams." Nobody could play Bonny as well as Don Cheadle. He is a man who just wants to make a living and, unlike his friend Sam, tries to ignore society's flaws. As the film progresses, Sean Penn does a miraculous job of playing a man with such emptiness in his life. In one of the most captivating scenes, Bicke sits down with his brother (Michael Wincott) and we get another idea of how this insanity erupted in such a normal citizen. The film builds and builds on Penn's character, showing his catastrophic mental and physical state. Penn steals every moment he is in, from screaming on the telephone to pitifully sitting on his bed. It is an amazing thing to see the talented Sean Penn walk through his everyday life, turning from a flashy, furniture salesman to a psychotic madman. "Assassination" has not yet been released in St. Louis and, even in New York, it is being shown in barely any locations. Despite its limited release, Niels Mueller has made an outstanding directorial debut. He has surely created the most electrifying, and not to mention, the best film of the year.