Filipe Neto Richard Nixon is one of the most controversial heads of state of the twentieth century. During his tenure as president of the United States, he earned a general hatred almost as high as the power and influence of his office. He was investigated, vilified, attacked but never condemned. Even though I'm not an American nor an expert of these period, I feel it is necessary to make an unbiased and objective historical analysis of this president, I just don't know if that has already happened. Even so, the film we have here didn't seem partial, trying to remain neutral to some extent.Directed by Oliver Stone, it's not appropriate for people who don't know anything about Nixon, or Watergate, or this period of American history, since the film wasn't wasting time explaining anything. So if you didn't understand why Nixon opened the US to China or what was the Watergate or the Bay of Pigs, I suggest you ignore the movie for now and first go read some books or see some documentaries about it. Another problem I want to highlight is the huge web of conspiracies and obscure theories that the film weaves around the president. It never lets us understand what "crimes of responsibility" Nixon has committed. The film also suggests, without subtleties, that Nixon was a simple man who rose in life but wasn't accepted by the "American aristocracy" because of this humble origin, which left him deeply hurt. I don't know if it's true, but the film indicates that as origin of President's lack of scruples.Anthony Hopkins assures the main role in an interesting performance, but that's far from being his best. He made a good preparation and tried his best to be Nixon, but has few physical similarities with him, not to mention his extreme difficulty in imitating president's characteristic voice. Anyway, Hopkins was brilliant at his character's psychological work, with most dramatic scenes going on as he, semi-drunk, reviews his decisions while listening to his famous audio tapes. The remaining cast does a reasonable supporting work. I will not close my review without left a word of appreciation to the sets and costumes, which rebuilt the atmosphere and culture of the Seventies quite well, much like the rooms and offices within White House. Not being exceptional, it's an elegant, quality film, that helps us think about an important period in American history.

SnoopyStyle President Richard Nixon (Anthony Hopkins) frets over the tapes as he is harassed by calls of impeachment. We are brought back to when he loses the election to JFK. He is left for politically dead as he blames the media. He has his supporters especially the Cuba contingent. Eventually he gets his opening to fight another day. There are also flashbacks to his childhood as Oliver Stone tries to weave a portrait of the man.This is a political epic about one man. It definitely has Stone's cinematic skills but it is also filled with his personal point of view. It is noticeable which puts some of the movie's validity to question. However, there is no questioning the compelling performance by Hopkins. He is a flawed man always fighting enemies. It's a great performance. The movie is a bit long at over three hours. It's trying to span such a vast period of time and the man lived a big life.

Desertman84 Oliver Stone, the most outspokenly political American filmmaker of the 1980's and 1990's, directs this epic-length biography of Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the U.S., who was re-elected by a landslide in 1972, only to resign in disgrace two years later in the movie entitled,Nixon.It stars Anthony Hopkins in a genuinely great performance as the scandal-plagued former president.The parade of stars playing figures in Nixon's orbit are: Joan Allen,who plays his long-suffering wife Pat; Mary Steenburgen,who portrays his mother Hannah; Bob Hoskins is cast as J. Edgar Hoover;Powers Boothe plays Alexander Haig; Paul Sorvino portrays Henry Kisinger;Ed Harris plays E. Howard Hunt; J.T. Walsh as John Ehrlichman; James Woods as Bob Haldeman; David Hyde Pierce as John Dean among many others. Taking a non-linear approach, the movie jumps back and forth between many different periods and events, from Nixon's strict upbringing at the hands of his Quaker mother, through the many peaks and valleys of his political career, to his downfall in the wake of the Watergate scandal. The facts of his life are blended with supposition and speculation to create a portrait that is often critical of the man's policies but displays an unexpected compassion toward his failings as a human being.The film is obviously thoughtful, well-researched and carefully modulated when presenting the late President,Richard Nixon as tries to paint him as a human being with flaws and the viewer gets a glimpse of both his persona and psyche.When viewing this film,thoughts of Hamlet, Macbeth and King Lear come to mind as the viewer witness a ruler destroyed by his fatal flaws and weaknesses. Also,credit the great performances of the cast particularly Anthony Hopkins and Joan Allen as they elevate the film to a level of greatness not achieved by other films.And most of all,Nixon is the epic motion picture that delves into the inner sanctum of a tragic world leader, uncovering his greatest moments and his shattering demise in Watergate.

alexgreig Without doubt Anthony Hopkins performance as Richard Nixon cements his position as one of the finest and most powerful actors of the last 20 years. Without bearing any great resemblance, he gets closer to inhabiting the almost impenetrable enigma that was Nixon than any other actor could do. Looking beyond his towering portrayal, the performances of the supporting cast are mostly exemplary. You just know that James Woods and JT Walsh were born to play Haldeman and Ehrlichman. Ed Harris is a chilling Howard Hunt, Mary Steenburgen a dedicated but controlled and ultimately unaffectionate mother, Powers Boothe a loyal but pragmatic Al Haig, Bob Hoskins a thoroughly devious J Edgar Hoover and Madeleine Kahn a delightfully outspoken Martha Mitchell. If I had to quibble I would say that Joan Allen makes Pat Nixon a far steelier character than she probably was and EG Marshall is too old to play John Mitchell. Oliver Stone does not play too fast and loose with the real story and endeavours to explore Nixon's childhood and other events in his life to try to explain what what made him what he became. Occasionally he is more sympathetic than one might have expected. The use of black and white is overdone, although real footage is skilfully interlaced with the acting. But the ultimate triumph is Hopkins' performance.