Nixon

The movie Nixon, directed by Oliver Stone and released in 1995, is an American biographical drama film written by Stone and Stephen J. Rivele. This motion picture presents an intimate portrayal of the 37th president of the United States, Richard Nixon, brilliantly portrayed by renowned actor Anthony Hopkins.

From humble beginnings, the movie portrays Nixon as a man driven by a relentless desire to succeed. Despite his notable victories and astounding rise to power, Nixon is ultimately consumed by political battles, personal demons, and the historical events of the 1960s and early 1970s. It gives us an in-depth understanding of Nixon's tale, an exploration not merely of his tenure as president but of his entire life, war years, vice-presidency, and post-presidency.

Anthony Hopkins steps into the sizeable shoes of the titular character, offering a performance nothing short of astonishing, capturing both Nixon's physical attributes and complex personality. He cunningly portrays the dichotomy of a man who carries immense power and yet is tormented by fierce insecurity and paranoia. Whilst Hopkins delivers an emotive performance, he does not caricature Nixon but presents an understandable and at moments, sympathetic manifestation of him.

Supporting Hopkins superbly, Joan Allen plays Pat Nixon, Richard's long-suffering wife, delivering an outstanding performance that earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Her portrayal of Pat as a loyal but often frustrated wife adds emotional depth to the movie, revealing another aspect of Nixon's life which had taken its toll on their relationship.

Power Boothe plays the role of Alexander Haig, a U.S. Army general who served as the White House Chief of Staff under Nixon and later as Secretary of State under President Ronald Reagan. His portrayal of Haig provides an intriguing insight into Nixon's interaction with the key members of his administration.

Penetrating much beyond the regular biographical narrative, Stone delves into the psychology of this oft-misunderstood public figure, detailing not just his political career, marked by exceptional highs and crushing lows, but also his personal life. It walks us through the narrative of America during that era, expertly blending real archival footage with dramatized re-creations.

The movie decrypts Nixon, the man, his motivations, ticks, moments of great elation, and profound despair while bearing the heavy mantle of presidency. Covering landmark events such as his handling of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal, the movie contextualizes Nixon within the grand drama of American politics in the late 20th Century.

This film captures the period's mood flawlessly, thanks to the perfect period recreations and meticulous attention to detail, including the art direction, production design, and costumes. The cinematography is handled impressively, giving a gloomy reflection of the troubled period. The film's musical scores, both original and classical compositions, are integrated seamlessly, heightening the world depicted on-screen.

Nixon’s fascinating orbit of political associates and rivalries are eloquently portrayed as well, including the likes of Henry Kissinger, J. Edgar Hoover, and John F. Kennedy. Each character contributes to the political landscape that reflected the nation's politics in those years. They are so well-woven into the story that it provides valuable insight into the relationships surrounding Nixon and brings a greater understanding of his presidency.

Nixon is a dark and dramatic character study of one of the most controversial figures in American political history. Despite being a critique of Nixon, the film doesn’t reduce him to a villain but instead portrays him as a flawed individual who carried the weight of his insecurities into one of the most powerful positions in the world.

This movie, overall, is not just about the man Nixon, but about power, corruption, and the American dream gone awry. It is a must-watch for those interested in politics, history, Nixon himself, or anyone desiring to see a masterclass in acting from Anthony Hopkins and the rest of the fantastic ensemble cast. With solid cinematic storytelling by Stone, Nixon remains an enormously engaging exploration of a complex figure's life.