Dick
Date: April 27, 2000
Cast:
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Directors: Andrew Fleming
Official
Website: Dick
One of the greatest struggles facing teachers today is how to make seemingly dry, and boring information interesting, or at least so that kids can understand and relate. I have always been a proponent of bringing things to the level of the person being educated because the best learning is done when someone can relate to what is being told to them. History is a topic that most kids are hesitant, or even fail to learn, and one that most adults fail to retain. However, Hollywood has attempted to offer alternatives, which can educate; yet still have fun and speak at the level of the audience. Dick takes a playful, satirical look at the infamous Watergate scandal, a historic event still shrouded in a bit of mystery and does not say "It could've" but rather asks “What if..”
“What if the
whole scandal started because of Bobby Sherman’s teen appeal”?
“What if Nixon really disliked Checkers and wanted to "feed him to the Chinese"
“What if Woodward
and Bernstein were really competitive, sniveling wannabes”
“What if Olivia Newton-John caused those 18 minutes of missing tape”
“What if Russian diplomacy was saved by a creative cookie recipe”
“What if identifying Deep Throat would make laughing stocks out of the reporters, because of its origin, and who it really was.
And what if, a pair of presidential dog walkers, stumbled across and became embroiled in bringing on end of Vietnam and the impeachment and resignation of Tricky Dick”
While it is highly unlikely that it happened this way, all the movie is asking is to open your mind and let your creativity, and your funny bone meet in the middle. The chronology of the events is intelligently and humorously unveiled using circumstances, which may be improbable, but will make you, say hmmmm, with smile on your face. The historical facts are presented in a manner so that those who are unfamiliar can understand the basics. While those who lived through it, may get some of the inside jokes.
The cast all seem to be having fun with this, kind of like a small town community production of Watergate: The Other Side. Hedaya as Nixon has the voice, and even the look, but never really goes over the top. Harry Shearer, Dave Foley, Jim Breuer and a nearly unrecognizable Teri Garr, all give deliciously silly, fun performances. However the movie’s success lies on the flaxen locked shoulders of Dunst and Williams, who play this like Romy and Michelle Visit the President. They maintain an innocent, harmless, fun loving charm, while learning about, and ultimately turning the tables on those who they admired.
Now I would be remiss, if I didn’t address the title, which of course comes from Nixon’s nickname. The title of Nixon was already taken, so I was curious as to why this one was chosen. Then, the marketing campaign, playing it off as a brainless political spoof, with that title that some people were probably ashamed to say when buying tickets. Well, what happens, is that there are several jokes mocking his nickname (including a wonderful one at the ending, more on that later) and there are brains in the script, (president never lies, pain in the..backside, you’ll understand when you see it) but it never takes itself too seriously, and never stops having fun, while poking fun. It shows that anything is fair game, and nothing is ever so serious, that some fun cannot be had at its expense. The jokes are a bit overdone, and there is a subplot involving a draft-dodging, weed smoking brother, which seems to exist only to help those who lived through to relate a little more. However, in experiences like this, that make you smile, and just feel good, some stumbles are forgiven, if the ultimate conclusion makes you feel as good as this one does. Speaking of the ending, this is one that will just make you smile at the irony, and use of the music, I think that is the point that put me over the top on truly loving this movie.
Ultimately, Dick provides an extended humorous version on the concept that Forrest Gump touched upon. Another perception of what could have been, in an event where not all is completely known. In lieu of solid facts we will use our creative minds to fill in the blanks. History exists in the form of how it happened, and how it is remembered. The way its written can sometimes differ than actual events based upon perspective. All Dick is asking, is to take a lighthearted perspective and leave the door to your mind slightly ajar. You might be surprised and learn something, and that is never a bad thing. ($$$ out of $$$$)
Agree? Disagree, Questions? Comments?
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