Nixon [Special Edition] (1995, dir. Oliver Stone)

Nixon (1995, dir. Oliver Stone)

What Is It?: An overlong, yet still somehow riveting biopic of our disgraced former president.

What About It?: The Lost Classic recently saw a note on a video copy of this film that read, "The greatest film biography since Citizen Kane." While we can't entirely echo that sentiment, we were pleased to note that someone else has love for this deeply flawed masterpiece. Nixon is far from perfect, but what it gets right is powerful and unexpectedly moving, oddly drawing some of its power from its weaknesses. For example, Anthony Hopkins doesn't look or sound like Richard M. Nixon, but he just feels like him in much of the film that one starts to believe in the performance almost immediately. If the role was filled by someone who was a gifted mimic, the Lost Classic believes that the power would have been drained out of the role. Hopkins wears his sportcoats like they weigh fifty pounds and he plays Nixon's sweaty, raw neediness in such a way to make it akin to charisma instead of repellent. Stone plays the whole story like Shakespearean drama, pitched like, yes, Citizen Kane -- with shots cribbed, to boot -- but still never losing his inimitable style.

Why Should I See It?: This should be seen by all lovers of epic drama, fans of political folderol and subterfuge and for fans of that oft-imperiled genre -- the biopic. The casting is excellent -- James Woods as Haldeman, Ed Harris as E. Howard Hunt, Joan Allen as Pat Nixon, and the great J.T. Walsh as Ehrlichman, not a bum choice in the lot. Even Paul Sorvino as Kissinger works beautifully. The whole thing is a towering achievement, that the Lost Classic believes will get its due some day. This Special Edition, released in 2002, adds a handful of scenes, the only one worth noting is a terrific, kinda funny scene with Sam Waterson as Dick Helms, head of the CIA. Stone was right to leave the scene out in the official version, but it's a pleasure to watch him go for it in this scene where Helms is literally portrayed as the devil. Living in a hothouse filled with orchids. The movie is worth watching for that scene alone, we think. The whole thing is highly recommended, though.

What Else Is It Like?: Secret Honor, LBJ: The Early Years, Hoffa, Citizen Kane.

When Is It Available Until ON DEMAND?: 1/4/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

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