In many ways, "The Assassination of Richard Nixon", echoes the events of September 11, 2001, in that a desperate man wanted to kill then President Richard Nixon, whom he blamed for everything that had gone wrong in his own life. The plot involved the hijacking of an airliner that was going to be forced to crash against the White House, killing President Nixon, who was occupying the mansion at the time. Fortunately, that ill conceived plan doesn't take place as the actions of the enforcement force were able to deal with that man who was a menace to society.
Niels Mueller, who directed, and co-wrote the film with Kevin Kennedy, shows he clearly understood his main character, Samuel Bicke, who as many contributors have compared to Travis Bickle, the Robert DeNiro's character in "Taxi Driver", but all comparisons must end there, in the name, which is almost the same for both men.
Samuel Bicke is a man that has lost almost everything he ever had. His wife and children don't want anything to do with him. His own brother, Julius, knows what Sam has been doing to his business and wants no part of him. Samuel is a man at the end of his rope. He has failed everybody that even cared a little for him. That is why Sam decides on an extreme action for which he will pay dearly.
Sean Penn is the best thing in this movie. He is riveting as we don't dare take our eyes from him for a moment. This actor proves he has a natural intelligence to get under any of his characters in ways that others wouldn't dare. His Samuel Bicke will be one of the best creations he has done in the movies.
The rest of the cast do a good supporting role. Naomi Watts, as a brunette, plays Marie, Sam's estranged wife. Don Cheadle's Bonny is about the only friend Sam can rely on. The wonderful Australian actor Jack Thompson does an incredible job as Sam's boss at the office furniture place where Sam has found employment. Michael Wincott is also good as Sam's brother.
The film's musical score is by Steven Stern. Emmanuel Lubezki did an excellent job photographing the film that tries to show those years during the Nixon's administration. Alfonso Cuaron, a great director himself, produced what seems to be a labor of love that he entrusted to Niels Mueller to direct.
Niels Mueller, who directed, and co-wrote the film with Kevin Kennedy, shows he clearly understood his main character, Samuel Bicke, who as many contributors have compared to Travis Bickle, the Robert DeNiro's character in "Taxi Driver", but all comparisons must end there, in the name, which is almost the same for both men.
Samuel Bicke is a man that has lost almost everything he ever had. His wife and children don't want anything to do with him. His own brother, Julius, knows what Sam has been doing to his business and wants no part of him. Samuel is a man at the end of his rope. He has failed everybody that even cared a little for him. That is why Sam decides on an extreme action for which he will pay dearly.
Sean Penn is the best thing in this movie. He is riveting as we don't dare take our eyes from him for a moment. This actor proves he has a natural intelligence to get under any of his characters in ways that others wouldn't dare. His Samuel Bicke will be one of the best creations he has done in the movies.
The rest of the cast do a good supporting role. Naomi Watts, as a brunette, plays Marie, Sam's estranged wife. Don Cheadle's Bonny is about the only friend Sam can rely on. The wonderful Australian actor Jack Thompson does an incredible job as Sam's boss at the office furniture place where Sam has found employment. Michael Wincott is also good as Sam's brother.
The film's musical score is by Steven Stern. Emmanuel Lubezki did an excellent job photographing the film that tries to show those years during the Nixon's administration. Alfonso Cuaron, a great director himself, produced what seems to be a labor of love that he entrusted to Niels Mueller to direct.