Review of Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House (2017) by Richard B — 21 Jun 2018

I recommend the film despite some reservations about certain aspects of the production. It's somewhat plodding at times and mostly bleak in visuals and mood, but an important historical take on one man's crucial role in keeping US democracy from collapsing into severe corruption and authoritarian rule during the Nixon era.

Without Mark Felt, it's quite possible the entire Watergate scandal would have faded without serious repercussions including Nixon's resignation. Felt comes across as a loyal FBI higher-up, just below Hoover prior to Hoover's death, who participated in some unsavory FBI activities but saw the agency's independence as essential to maintaining the rule of law and controlling excesses of power in the executive branch.

What he chose to do made all the difference in bringing Nixon and his cohorts to justice. Performances by Liam Neeson and Diane Lane are excellent; others in the cast are not as exemplary. The cinematography is quite good at establishing a dark, somber mood to this thoughtful drama.