The Assassination of Richard Nixon (2004)

Director:

Niels Mueller

Writers:

Kevin Kennedy (written by)
Niels Mueller (written by)

Release Date:

22 October 2004 (Greece)

Genre:

Biography | Crime | Drama | History | Thriller

Tagline:

The mad story of a true man.

Plot:

Based on real life events, Assassination is set in 1974 and centers on a businessman who decides to take extreme measures to achieve his American dream.

Plot Keywords:

Friend | Richard Nixon | Assassination | Bank | Office Furniture Salesman

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Sean Penn	...	Samuel J. Bicke
Naomi Watts	...	Marie Andersen Bicke
Don Cheadle	...	Bonny Simmons
Jack Thompson	...	Jack Jones
Brad William Henke	...	Martin Jones (as Brad Henke)
Nick Searcy	...	Tom Ford
Michael Wincott	...	Julius Bicke
Mykelti Williamson	...	Harold Mann
April Grace	...	Mae Simmons
Lily Knight	...	Receptionist
Jared Dorrance	...	Sammy Jr.
Jenna Milton	...	Ellen
Mariah Massa	...	Julie
Eileen Ryan	...	Marie's Mother
Derek Greene	...	Joey Simmons

MPAA:

Rated R for language and a scene of graphic violence. (also edited version)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA | Mexico

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Brazil:14 | Malaysia:18PL | Malaysia:U (cut) | Germany:12 | Iceland:16 | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:15 | USA:TV-MA (cable rating) | Australia:MA | Finland:K-15 | Ireland:15A | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:16 | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #40689) | Philippines:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Alameda, California, USA

Company:

Anhelo Productions

Trivia:

This was originally conceived as a fictitious story but, whilst doing research, the writers discovered something very similar had occurred, so decided to let that influence their script.

Goofs:

Factual errors: From the PA announcement we learn that Bicke will be boarding a TWA flight. In one shot of the aircraft a red pointed cheatline (stripe painted near the windows) is seen which would have been part of TWA's 1972 livery. However, when we see the exterior of the boarding door from the jetway, the Delta Air Lines "widget" (a red triangle and a blue triangle) can be seen.

Quotes:

Samuel Bicke: Certainty is the disease of kings.

Movie Connections:

Features "Let's Make a Deal" (1963)

Soundtrack:

Girl I Love You

A Top Notch Film With Some Minor Flaws

I had the chance to see The Assassination of Richard Nixon over at the Loews at the Boston Common today. It was a packed house and Sean Penn, Neil Mueller, and Alfonso Cuaron were there to talk afterwards. But I'm just going to talk about the movie.

Overall, I found the film to be quite intoxicating. Sean Penn becomes Sam Bicke and the character is so interesting that I was left with his thoughts as I walked out of the theater. Especially in today's society, Nixon is an important film. It is about not letting the man get you down and it is about not electing into political positions when they are just going to lie and treat us terribly.

People will compare Nixon to Taxi Driver. And I understand this comparison. However, Taxi had much better pacing and much more violence. The performances here are just as compelling and the 70s look of the film is absolutely perfect.

There could be a few script tweakings, but some people won't be bothered by those little dialogue issues.

3 3/4 out of 5