Film Review : The Assasination of Richard Nixon

Last night I say the above film at the UCI in Norwich. It's based on the true story of a guy called Sam Bicke, who's life was going off the rails in the early 70s. His marriage had fallen apart, and his job as a furniture salesman was forcing him to live what he saw as a dishonest life. He blamed his plight on the breakdown of American society, and by extension on the Watergate and Vietnam tainted President.

The film was a sombre tale of a man going off the rails, held together by a great performance from Sean Penn in the lead role. Indeed it was pretty much a one man show, although (a barely recognizeable) Naomi Watts was good as his ex-wife.

It was an interesting, well made film, but it was difficult to really empathise with Sam Bicke, and therefore to care that much about his fate.

I give it a rating of ***