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Oliver Stone's controversial drama about the Nixon years in the White House stars Anthony Hopkins in a genuinely great performance as the scandal-plagued president. The film attempts to wed suggestions of Nixon's formative experiences as a boy to his political connections with shady movers and shakers and finally to his self-destructive tenure in the Oval Office. The Watergate scandal is revisited rather impressionistically--it may be hard for viewers who weren't alive then to get a sense of what the crisis was about. The parade of stars playing figures in Nixon's orbit--J.T. Walsh as John Ehrlichman, James Woods as Bob Haldeman, David Hyde Pierce as John Dean, etc.--is fun if a tad distracting. Joan Allen got a well-deserved Oscar nomination as First Lady Pat Nixon, and Hopkins got one as well. --Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Oliver Stone's "Nixon" is quite simply a great American film, one that has been shamefully overlooked in comparison with the seriously flawed "JFK." Stone obviously took notice of the criticisms of that earlier film, and while some of his conspiracy-mania appears in "Nixon", overall the later film is a much more balanced and human effort. Stone can direct like a lunatic (has anybody but the seriously disturbed sat through "Natural Born Killers" more than once?) but he is an undeniably intelligent and talented filmmaker who can rise to the occasion when challenged. And he was obviously challenged by the task of coming to terms with Richard Nixon, the dominant political figure of his youth. Stone dedicated the movie to his late father, and it is obviously an attempt by a son to understand patriarchal authority--and its abuses.
Stone's aggressive style is much on display here, but it helps draw you into the drama, rather than distracting as it has in other films. Ther's some truly inspired casting, from David Hyde Pierce as John Dean to James Woods and J.T. Walsh as Haldeman and Ehrlichman, to the splendid Joan Allen as Pat Nixon. But the centerpiece is Anthony Hopkins as Nixon who gives another remarkable performance in his patented manner of "clenched flamboyance" (as one critic described his acting.) He makes you feel every hurt, every slight that the man ever felt, as well as letting us see the undeniable brilliance as well as the pathetic flaws. By the time the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings "Shanendoah" over footage of Nixon's funeral and the closing credits (a masterful, unironic touch) you may find yourself genuinely grieving over the wasted genius. One of the best political films ever made, one whose reputation should grow over the coming years.
By Cheryl
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Blu-ray
Anthony Hopkins gives a stunning and complex portrayal of Nixon, while leading a well-cast ensemble of talent (Paul Sorvino, Joan Allen, James Woods etc.). Though not a stickler for historical accuracy, Oliver Stone's fascinating epic character study is technically well made, especially this extended director's cut, and again utilizes the director's known flashback and multi-format editing style. The election year blu-ray edition has a second disc of bonus features, which includes a lot of Oliver Stone - deleted scenes, with director intros, Charlie Rose interview, trailer, and a new documentary, Beyond Nixon (which contains many insider reactions to the film). Additionally, there are two director commentaries - one focused on cast, crew and filmmaking, and the other focused on political history.
Format:DVD
It's impossible to watch "Nixon" without seeing the parallels with Welles' masterpiece. The fragmented narrative, the self-reflexive camera techniques, the newsreel, the portrait of a power-mad love-hungry icon are all suggestive. There's more, too, and some academic will doubtless write a paper if it hasn't been written already. Judged against "Kane" of course "Nixon" falls short. But once the resonances start penetrating, this film becomes a sequel to that earlier portrait of power. The American Character--if such a thing exists--is really at the heart of this film. Forget whether or not you hate the real Nixon and revel in Hopkins' portrayal of the cinematic one.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Blue Ray Formatted movie
I didn't realize Blue Ray was a different format when I ordered this movie so have been unable to watch it. I would have liked to have known this before buying it.
Published on Sep 6 2010 by Brejean
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not received as yet
Ordered August 5th and not received the the 25th so notified Amazon and apparently another shipped on the 30th of August but not received yet - will hesitate to order again.
Published on Sep 5 2010 by Judy
5.0 out of 5 stars
A PLEASANT SURPRISE
He infers that the beast is embodied in the Central Intelligence Agency, which in turn controls the U.S. Read more
Published on Jun 6 2004 by Steven R. Travers
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Hallmark Film
Oliver Stone said that he thought this film and his film, "JFK", are his "Godfather Part One and Two". I am in complete agreement with him. Read more
Published on May 21 2004 by torrid_wind™
5.0 out of 5 stars
From the Lemon Farm To The White House...
This review refers to the DVD edition of "Nixon"
This film opens with a notation, that it is a dramtic interpertation of the events based on public records, that some... Read more
Published on May 16 2004 by L. Shirley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oliver Stone's Masterpiece!
Nixon was initially available only in a DVD with minimal extras. In recent years, Oliver Stone has revisited his entire canon with special edition treatments. Read more
Published on May 12 2004 by Cubist
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good film, will Stone will do the film on George W Bush?
The film was a good portrait of Richard M Nixon. Nixon was paranoid and portrayed as a MacBeth like-figure, minus a prodding wife. Read more
Published on Mar 10 2004 by Nicholas Walters
5.0 out of 5 stars
You can't kick Dick Nixon around anymore!
Lets face it. Watergate has become one of the biggest scandals ever in the history of the Presidentcy. I personally like Nixon, but this movie is still great. Read more
Published on Feb 26 2004 by Smokin Iguana
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Stone's best effort
Any effort to explore the complex psychology of our esteemed thirty-seventh president, Richard Milhous Nixon, in a single motion picture is sure to run into some difficulties. Read more
Published on Feb 18 2004 by Jeffrey Leach
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magnificent !
I don't know about historical accuracy, but as a piece of cinematic art, NIXON is (and I don't use this word lightly) a masterpiece. Read more
Published on Feb 5 2004 by Sugunan
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