Review of All the President's Men (1976) by Viet Phuong N — 06 Sep 2016

The dry tone of the film may turn off some people, as it does not have any actual action or over-the-top sequence. Other than that, this film is a good example of the excellent quality of the New Hollywood period (from around 1969 to 1979) - a period full of films with perfect cast, thoughtful script, next-to-none fanciful yet useless details, social awareness, and resistance against political correctness.

That is also what "All the President's Men" was all about. Having two of the most prominent faces of the New Hollywood generation clearly did not hurt, but the way Redford and Hoffman were selected for two totally opposite yet fully complementary characters really elevated the quality of the film and helped show the everyday dilemma that journalists have to face - be quick (but lack of credible and verified information) or (trying to find the root of the matter and) be dead? Despite the recency of the events depicted in the film, "All the President's Men" is also very commendable for avoiding the unnecessary dramatisation of the fact, and rather following the fact closely by unveiling event by event, character by character to the audience with utmost care, especially regarding the script logics of a journalistic investigation, the authentic ambiance of a biographical cinematic work, and the value of true journalism.

Much less dramatic (and with way fewer accolades) than "Spotlight", but "All the President's Men" to me really is a superior film about journalism.