Movie #1640 ........................."Vice"

Movie #1640 "Vice" -- there is so much good about this film, but there's some that isn't.  Lots of info of Dick Cheney's life starting with his school years, getting kicked out of Yale, and then his wife stepping in to straighten him out to find a focus --- which he does finally get in politics.  The info goes by very quickly, sometimes, too much so, but we hang on and get to another dot that  connects to another  story we heard in the news the past few decades.  The film makes it quite clear that this movie was not easy to make because he keeps everything "close to his vest" --- so the research dealt with archives, news articles, interviews, etc.  And there's a disclaimer that they tried to do the best they could, with what they had....the film even has a narrator that ties in later in the film to give it a documentary kind of feel, esp. at the beginning.  And what a beginning --- we had a problem with the picture not being set up right on the screen in the opening , so it took a little away from the explosive opening, but starting with 9/11 and going back to lead us up to it was very effective. I don't want to tell too much more of the plot --- that is stated quickly  below, and know that you are in for some ride with  Mr. McKay at the  reins (he did "The Big Short" with the same people -- Bale, Adams, Carrell, etc.) The film stands alone this year  in the various techniques it uses ---- very unique, and I enjoyed that and the humor infused in a lot of it (dark humor, of course --- look what subjects we are dealing with!)  I loved the use of metaphors (eg teacups, lures, fishing in general) to make it more of a think piece, anything to help us get the info in the quickest amount of time --- and as we follow along, you can't help thinking how timely this film is --- wow!  The acting is terrific ---finally, there's a better use of Bale's Batman whispery low voice here,  and Sam Rockwell's Bush is spot on, as is Carell's Rumsfeld. And Amy Adams is almost hidden as Mrs. Cheney --- she's that good!  Now to the not-so-good --- it's all over the place and hard to follow at times because of the speed, so it demands your attention (something I had to get used to --- I've been watching a lot of Hallmark films, lately!) ; the narrator was annoying at times, but I understood why he was used; the film  gave so much info, but I wanted to know even  more about what makes this guy tick --- ( eg. was his gay  daughter & his wife  the only thing he ever protected, and when he didn't, what changed that?) Overall, I think most of you  will  want to see this one because it is very entertaining...... and like I said above, it may  connect some dots for you (eg. for me, how Isis got started)  P.S.  make sure you stay through the credits --- there's a funny bit that breaks the 4th wall, in it and worth the wait, I think)  4 stars out of 5.  This may have a good chance being the best picture of the year, but it's nominated for several Golden Globes.  Too early for me, though --- haven't seen many of the ones out in December yet!


"THE VICE"   2018

Vice

 2018 R 

Focusing on his powerful two-term tenure as second in command to U.S. President George W. Bush, this biographical drama chronicles the long and controversial political career of Dick Cheney.

Cast 

Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell, Bill Pullman, Alison Pill, Lily Rabe, Tyler Perry, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Shea Whigham, Bill Camp, Kirk Bovill, Adam Bartley, Jillian Armenante, Stefania Owen

Director 

Adam McKay

Genres 

Drama, Biographies, Political Dramas