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| THE ASSASSINATION OF RICHARD NIXON (2004) | |
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The anatomy of psychological disorder could also have been the title of this film, which presents a very dark and depressing theme.
The foundation of the film spins off a true event that closely follows the main character, Samuel Bicke (Sean Penn), and the development of his anxiety and depression.
The progress of his psychological disorder provides a complex view of Bicke’s life, which intricately displays his unbending morals, values, and beliefs.
Consequently, these fundamental pieces of Bicke’s persona affect his professional and personal life while
providing new information that he cognitively adapts to his way of life.
This turns into a self-destructive pattern where his rigid manners begin to affect everything around him, as Bicke decides that he should assassinate
President Richard Nixon.
Film begins with two sequential flashbacks that bring the audience back a year in order to understand what led to Bicke’s behavior and actions. However, before the first flashback the film provides a hint of what is to come before the film jumps back two weeks. This middle section of the film discloses further hints of what to expect, as the final flashback works its way back to where the film once started. The organization of the film process offers an opportunity to ponder why while building an understanding of how things affected Bicke. In addition, the method in which the film presents information also conveys a sense of sympathy for Bicke, as he endures severe problematic situations while his rigid persona exaggerates minute incidents. Ultimately, it turns all of his life into a churning bedlam that leads him into a cerebral maze where the viewer finds him completely lost. Sean Penn’s brilliant performance is the catalyst that elevates the story into this truly disturbing image of how a psychological disorder develops. By the way, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences robbed Penn of the Oscar for Best Performance of an Actor in a Male Leading Role, which was by far the best performance of 2004. The supporting cast consisting of Don Cheadle, Naomi Watts, and Jack Thompson among others enhanced Penn’s performance, as they bring out the contrasts of what makes Bicke different to the rest of the society. Altogether, the Assassination of Richard Nixon is a magnificent film about the dark and disturbing world, which small part of humanity experience while living on the fringe of society. |
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DIRECTED BY |
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| Niels Mueller | |
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USA / Mexico |
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| REVIEWED | |
| BY KIM ANEHALL – 5/5/2005 | |
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The Internet Movie Database. |
