Of all the biopics that Hollywood has tackled throughout the years that depicts any individuals that have been considered world leaders, I feel that there hasn't been any that has been as aloof, quiet, yet powerful enough to sustain an effect on our country then that of Dick Cheney. I thought I'd seen it all--biopic wise--until I saw "Vice".
This explores the epic story about how a bureaucratic Washington insider quietly became the most powerful man in the world as Vice-President to George W. Bush during the 2000 presidential election.
Although Cheney (Christian Bale) is extremely reluctant to be Gov. Bush's (Sam Rockwell) running mate, Bush was only able to convince him after Cheney said he would do it assuming he could make some changes to the otherwise 'figure only' position that it is. No stranger to politics, Cheney's resume includes stints as White House chief of staff, House Minority Whip and defense secretary. Through his years in politics, it is his wife, Lynne (Amy Adams) that is tenacious in making sure her husband obtains the power that he wants and feels he deserves. When Bush wins by a narrow margin (537 votes), Cheney begins to use his newfound power to help reshape the country and the world in ways we still feel today.
Others to round out the cast are Steve Carell as Donald Rumsfeld, Alison Pill as Mary Cheney, Dick and Lynne's daughter, Lily Rabe as Liz Cheney, Dick's and Lynne's other daughter, Eddie Marsen as Paul Wolfowitz, Tyler Perry as Colin Powell, Jesse Plemons as Kurt, LisaGay Hamilton as Condoleezza Rice, Justin Kirk as Scooter Libby, Bill Camp as Gerald Ford and Shea Whigham as Wayne Vincent.
This was superbly directed by Adam McKay ("Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" '04, "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" '06, "Step Brothers" '08, "The Other Guys" '10, "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" '13, "The Big Short" '15) plus TV and shorts. I haven't been a huge fan of McKay until he directed "The Big Short". I felt that he had grown as a director, and a writer for that matter, since he also wrote it. His prior films were written and directed well, but nothing like with Big Short. The character development in this film as with Big Short was amazing delineated, so much so that it seems like another filmmaker wrote and directed these films. He simply captured the proper staging and pacing and a steely sense of realism as these characters came alive. One can tell that McKay centered on perfecting the gut-wrenching performances of his actors, specifically Bale. However Bale is an accomplished actor in his own right, McKay's direction was spotlighted. It was also written by McKay (all the above films plus "Ant-Man" '15) plus TV and shorts. The script was solidly written, however there were some places of lack of continuity. There were scenes where a character in it was narrating, but it isn't explicitly detailed about his importance in the story, so it seemed a bit confusing. There was a lot going on here, so I can see how difficult it would be to keep certain areas of script in check. If you like the directing here, McKay's "Bad Blood" has been announced. What can I say about this ensemble cast but they were perfect in their respective roles, especially Bale. He carried the look, the tonality and the mannerisms of Cheney down cold, but considering Bale is the quintessential method actor, it should come as no surprise. He and the film will undoubtedly be nominated for Academy Awards.
If you yearn for biopics, you will revel with this depiction, but even if not, the fact that this is an incredibly well acted and directed film should more than compensate. This is one of those films one expects to see at this time of year, when Hollywood brings out the big guns for those films under consideration.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: R 132mins.
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