Review of Vice (2018) by Chris S — 31 Dec 2018
In this semi-satirical biopic about the rise to power of former Vice-President Dick Cheney (Christian Bale), writer-director Adam McKay morphs into Michael Moore by expressing contempt for his characters and the audience.
The scattershot structure leaps around in time with no clear perspective except that Cheney was willing to do anything for power and that cataclysmic global events were his responsibility. There is an unnecessary narration by Cheney's heart transplant donor that is insulting.
As Cheney, Christian Bale seems to be in a different movie. He added a lot of weight, and speaks in a slow and precise manner that makes everything he says sound important. Bale and Amy Adams, as Dick's wife, Lynn Cheney, are the only actors who appear to take their roles seriously.
The rest of the cast give bad impersonations with little physical resemblance to the people they portray. After the end credits, there is a short segment where a focus group debates the merits of the movie's ideology that is the culmination of smugness.
Brad Pitt and Will Farrell are among the producers. With Steve Carrell as Donald Rumsfeld, Sam Rockwell as President George W Bush, Tyler Powell as Colin Powell, Alison Pill as Mary Cheney.
This review of Vice (2018) was written by Chris S on 31 December 2018.
Vice has generally received positive reviews.
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