Vice
Best Picture nominees were released for The Academy Awards last week. A movie with a lot of attention is Vice. We saw this back in January, but I never really got around to reviewing it. Going into the movie, I was not sure if it was a pro or anti Dick Cheney story. Turns out it's the ladder. Right winged, Bush/Cheney fans beware; it's an extreme satire often mocking the Republican party. Being a stout Democrat, I did not have a problem with it's political viewpoints.
The movie is essentially a biopic of Dick Cheney. It looks at his beginnings and examines his rise to power. Director Adam McKay, typically known for his comedies (see Talladega Nights, Step Brothers, Anchorman), has been recently shifting his focus toward political films. Although this is technically a "comedy", there is not much to laugh at. Vice is very similar to The Big Short (also a McKay film). While examining serious, and sometimes confusing topics, it uses sarcasm and first person narrative to help educate the viewer as to what is transpiring. I actually learned a lot by watching the film, and found myself overwhelmed by some of the details of the Bush administration (which was essentially the Cheney administration). It is of course possible McKay was using this platform to promote his political views. I did not feel this way, as my ideals are aligned with his, but others may become offended with the movie (especially as it comes to a close). Luckily, there is google for any fact checking you see fit.
I felt the Vice was intense. A very long piece, filled with heavy realizations and sometimes gruesome images. I would describe it as "in your face". We left the film with increased discussion, and needing a drink. The acting is very good, and Christian Bale yet again provides a top performance. It is not a film I feel I could watch repeatedly, but one I am glad saw. Vice is not a movie that must be seen in theaters, but one that I feel should be watched at some point. It's an important piece of American history and one that's very relevant to this generation. Please go at it with an open mind, and get involved politically any way you can (like VOTING!).
The movie is essentially a biopic of Dick Cheney. It looks at his beginnings and examines his rise to power. Director Adam McKay, typically known for his comedies (see Talladega Nights, Step Brothers, Anchorman), has been recently shifting his focus toward political films. Although this is technically a "comedy", there is not much to laugh at. Vice is very similar to The Big Short (also a McKay film). While examining serious, and sometimes confusing topics, it uses sarcasm and first person narrative to help educate the viewer as to what is transpiring. I actually learned a lot by watching the film, and found myself overwhelmed by some of the details of the Bush administration (which was essentially the Cheney administration). It is of course possible McKay was using this platform to promote his political views. I did not feel this way, as my ideals are aligned with his, but others may become offended with the movie (especially as it comes to a close). Luckily, there is google for any fact checking you see fit.
I felt the Vice was intense. A very long piece, filled with heavy realizations and sometimes gruesome images. I would describe it as "in your face". We left the film with increased discussion, and needing a drink. The acting is very good, and Christian Bale yet again provides a top performance. It is not a film I feel I could watch repeatedly, but one I am glad saw. Vice is not a movie that must be seen in theaters, but one that I feel should be watched at some point. It's an important piece of American history and one that's very relevant to this generation. Please go at it with an open mind, and get involved politically any way you can (like VOTING!).
Photo Credit: CineMuseFilms
Rating: 3.5
Details: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6266538/?ref_=nv_sr_1
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