Nixon

This was the last truly groundbreaking picture Oliver Stone directed. As a biopic it's creative in its execution, cinematically akin to Citizen Kane in how it tries to understand what is missing at the core of a public man. But the story is Shakespearean in the way it dramatizes closed door conversations. Anthony Hopkins gives the movie the wonderful tone, as his stoic, private, drive compliments what he did in The Remains of the Day. Great for both film classes and history courses.

I don't generally like Oliver Stone, but I like this movie with a few reservations. It's more of a character study than a biopic trek through the man's life, and Stone is fairly compassionate, not letting Nixon off the hook, but acknowledging that there was potential greatness in this horrifically flawed man. Hopkins is really good, avoiding straightforward imitation and kind of internalizing the man and letting him seep out in small ways.

After seeing the runtime, I deep down was looking for excuses to dislike this movie. But the drama and political landscape are so well executed that I was having a hard time. And then some of Oliver Stone's stylistic flourishes didn't fit, and had me rolling my eyes. But the tremendous cast won me over ultimately, including perhaps Hopkins' finest performance.

Anthony Hopkins is great in the lead role in this film. There are a few slow moments but there are also plenty of interesting ones in this drama. Overall I would recommend this film.

This isn't a movie about Nixon's life; it isn't a three hour bore that narrates his life from birth, to death. It's a film that digs deep into the consciousness of Nixon and seeks to unravel the identity of America's enigmatic leader. The depth of the screenplay and uncovering of Nixon's consciousness is what makes this a biopic like no other. Story: 10 Screenplay: 9 Acting: 9.5 Cinematography: 9.5 Editing: 8.5 Entertainment Value: 8.7 Directing: 9 Music: 8 Overall Score: 72.

Taken one scene at a time, there's not much to complain about with Stone's absurdly long biopic. Hot off the heels of his masterpiece, JFK, he's clearly still in the zone to stitch together compelling political intrigue and whiplash dialogue pumped up by a stellar cast. But, unlike JFK, when the movie is over, it's hard to recall a single standout moment. Stone can't quite nail the perspective here: is Nixon evil, incompetent, misunderstood? The film's never satisfied with an answer.

Sprawling epic that captures the tormented character of one the all time American bastards. The panoramic and non linear direction does a good job of blending the great performances of Hopkins and the cast into the history itself. Hopkins is transcendent, capturing the vocal cues and ticks of Nixon very well. It suffers from its scope, one wonders what a more temporally focused narrative could have yielded

Bloated but fascinating epic about a complicated man who is presented both sympathetically and critically. Stone's formal trickery was toned down here somewhat, but the Wellesian style low angles and experimentation with lenses and film stock creates unusually tense, even poignant moments. The downsides are the dime-store psychology, especially in the flashbacks to Nixon's youth, and scenes that tend to ramble. Nonetheless, this is gripping pop political cinema, and Hoskins is great.

to glimpse the beast's eyes

does to suspension of disbelief what a shrill note does to double-plated glass

Another incredible performance by Hopkins.

It actually does a decent job of filling it’s 3+ hour runtime, even if it really doesn’t need it. The film is carried by Hopkins, with hardly any likable people to draw you in. It also doesn’t hold your hand for things and people you don’t know, but you can still get the gist of everything. I did like how they actually humanized Nixon at times with his childhood, even if it didn’t make the modern version of him much better. Overall It wasn’t Stone’s best or worst film.

72.500

too long

Strangely sympathetic of Nixon and shot and edited in a way that made me want to punch Oliver Stone in the face. Seriously, if you cut out a lot of that bullshit the movie would probably be 20 minutes shorter. But the cast is really impressive, with good performances from Joan Allen, James Woods, Paul Sorvino and Mary Steenburgen, with Anthony Hopkins doing a good job leading the ensemble.

I liked the mythologization and all the performances are great without question, but the script and sentimental tone make it rather mediocre.

God bless Oliver Stone for putting this film in non-chronological order. The alternative version would have been unwatchable.

72.875

Too long and very self-indulgent and confusing at times, but Stone mostly manages to pull it off. The performance of Hopkins and the cinematography are great, and the pacing is nicely done throughout the movie. I do think however that a lot of parts could have been cut, if it had been shorter and more to the point it would have made for a much better movie. You have to be in the mood to watch this because it's a long dragged out drama, however a solid film nonetheless.

It's a superb, thoughtful drama that doesn't claim to be a documentary and shouldn't be judged as such.

"A staggering work of empathy for Stone." - Matt Noller

Very well-made and benefited by Anthony Hopkins' splendid turn as Nixon. Its laborious runtime, though, kills its potential for greatness.

I can see why other people would dislike it - the film is schizophrenic and hangs around way too long. But hey, that was Nixon in real life. He is simultaneously the weirdest and one of the most fascinating figures in American politics, so Hopkins giving a tour-de-force ensures a strong score. In hindsight this is actually more historically illuminating than Stone's magnus opus JFK.

Not completely successful, but an excellent Hopkins performance. As with most Stone movies, this one is heavy-handed, too obvious in its politics, and unrelieved by either humor or humanity.

Robert Richardson's cinematography is something to be seen.

Epic.

Personally, I didn't like how Nixon was portraited and I don't believe he was the complete evil man as many think.

Nixon spent his presidency rambling around, cursing at aides. And he knew about JFK's assassination beforehand. Stone only gets crazier.

(Director's Cut)

I like Stone's movies (though he tends to get hysterical at times), and I like Hopkins, but Hopkins as Nixon?

well acted film

Meaty, very satisfying political film. Excellent performance by Hopkins; it was actually harder to get used to Powers Boothe as Alexander Haig than to get used to Hopkins as Nixon