Review of All the President's Men (1976) by Knox M — 13 Apr 2017
Alan J. Pakula's ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN is a movie that demands your attention, and fortunately for us we're sucked in involuntarily. Sure, with all the names that link to the McGuffin it does get somewhat confusing, but by the end you've sorted everything out.
The film is structured like a Russian doll, you start with the largest piece of evidence and work your way down. The movie is shot like a documentary that was somehow cut to look like a suspense film.
There are no personal subplots that get in the way, just straight information. It's clear that the writer was just aiming for the bare bones. In some ways it's episodic, but from what I know journalism is very episodic.
The picture feels somewhat like straight-facts Andromeda Strain, minus the science fiction but plus the paranoia and determination. There are no moments of tension crafted in the editing room, although some of it can be accredited to that, it is straight drama depicted through the performances, which are incredible.
When thinking that this and Network lost to Rocky for the Best Picture Oscar is frustrating.
This review of All the President's Men (1976) was written by Knox M on 13 Apr 2017.
All the President's Men has generally received very positive reviews.
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