Vice (2018)

This is the somewhat controversial 2018 film about Dick Cheney (Christian Bale). The opening of the film is "connect-the-dots film-making" telling the story of a younger Dick Cheney. It follows Cheney through some time in Wyoming, through his internship in Congress, working for Donald Rumsfeld, his time at the Nixon White House, and Halliburton. The film covers these events/times, but doesn't spend a lot of time on their impact on Cheney. Obviously the film is trying to get to the meat of the matter, Cheney's time as George W. Bush's (Sam Rockwell) Vice President. Cheney had an impeccable impact on American politics. He was working to re-write the role of the Vice President even before the events of 9/11 and in the wake of that event he succeeded in doing so. He takes unprecedented steps in the aftermath of 9/11, some of which will likely be debated for many years to come, similarly to some steps taken by Edward Stanton in the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination. The film continues with many of the actions taken in the following years. The film attempts to weave a narrative regarding many of these actions and presents many stimulating facts. I felt that the film failed to clearly establish it's final narrative. It may simply be that we are still too close to these events to fully understand their lasting impact, but time will tell. Now to the performances in the film. The makeup on Christian Bale is truly impressive, and should win awards on its own. I agree with Roger Ebert when he said that Bale's performance was "more impression than insight." It doesn't mean it wasn't a good performance, it was. But it felt like it lacked something. There are many impressive scenes. Some of the scenes are serious but the way they are presented will make you laugh, like several of the scenes where Cheney has heart attacks. The interactions between Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne Cheney (Amy Adams) are interesting and compelling. Dick Cheney clearly loved his family and that makes an interesting dichotomy to some of Cheney's public actions. The film boasts an impressive cast. In addition to the people already mentioned the film also includes Steve Carell as Donald Rumsfeld, Alison Pill as Mary Cheney, Eddie Marsan as Paul Worlfowitz, Justin Kirk as Scooter Libby, LisaGay Hamilton as Condoleezza Rice, and Lily Rabe as Liz Cheney. One of the confusing characters in this film is the role of our quasi narrator, Kurt (Jesse Plemons). While Kurt's connection to Dick Cheney eventually becomes clear it seems as though the film is trying to make a point about this connection that was never clarified. Despite my complaints about aspects of this film, it still was an impressive film that I enjoyed. The narrative around the unitary executive theory. It makes few final points regarding this theory but leaves it up to the viewer and, I suppose, their imagination. If you're a staunch Republican, this film may not be for you. Unless you consider it opposition research or some sort of a road map. 3 out of 4 stars.