Nixon

Oliver Stone, USA 1995, 192 minutes

One of the most chronicled public figures of this century, Nixon nevertheless represents Oliver Stone's own, highly dramatised, attempt to understand the man behind the tarnished presidential seal. With his typical visual and thematic boldness (the film contains the most technically advanced editing features of any film to date), Stone explores the life, from early, troubled childhood, through devasting family tragedy , to late, troubled political demise.

Stone also uses this film to re-examine some of his favourite events from history, previously seen in Born On The Fourth Of July and JFK, from yet another viewpoint. Against this backdrop, an all-star cast (and you'll really understand the meaning of `all-star' when you see this film) plays out a dazzling tableau of political life in the most powerful country in the world. Joan Allen is particularly good as the devoted wife who despised having to share her husband with the rest of the world. In the title role, Anthony Hopkins was initially reluctant to take on the part - which perhaps shows - but nevertheless he uses his vast reserves of acting skill to put on a unique performance which captures Nixon's spirit and character in fine detail.

Many have seen Stone's recent films as evidence of his decline. However the director's technical brilliance has not waned, it is simply possible that those in America are growing jealous of his incomparable skill. In tackling this, not the most popular of subjects, he returns to the home territory of his earlier films and never looks back.

"In every detail of period and person, Nixon is utterly fascinating" - Premiere

Review by Neil Chue Hong
Taken from EUFS Programme 1996-97