Review of Nixon (1995) by John O — 29 Aug 2008

This movie is Greek tragedy, pure and simple. Nixon plays out essentially like a play by Sophocles or Aeschylus, in that Nixon is man who achieves great power at all costs and must live with his own downfall because he has no one to blame but himself.

I was surprised that this movie was a bit more balanced than I remember, having seen it several years ago. Certainly, Nixon is a tragic hero, undone by his own flaws, and Oliver Stone makes no mistake about how he wants the viewer to regard the wrongs committed by this president, but he is also shown as a man who truly believes that he is doing right by America and is willing to compromise himself to extend that vision.

In short, Nixon is more than simply "a crook" (though he is that), and this movie makes sure to delve into the personal side to find answers for the public side. The movie's greatest flaw is that Stone simply uses too many visual cutaways, and strange editing and pacing, and it really detracts from the story.

The movie is far (far) too long, and even though I was never bored, I feel like there are several scenes I would have cut or at least shortened. Also, while the great acting in this movie abounds, I can't help but question the choice of Hopkins as Nixon.

He acts it well, but I never really felt like I was seeing the real Nixon, just an actor doing his best to portray him. Apparently, Jack Nicholson, Tommy Lee Jones, Gene Hackman were all considered for this role, and I think all of them would probably have made a better Nixon than Hopkins.

Still, it's a great interpretation of the most controversial presidency in modern history.