Wikipedia defines the word “vice” as “a practice, behavior, or
habit generally considered immoral, sinful, criminal, rude, taboo,
depraved, or degrading in the associated society.” No wonder the
movie “Vice” is about vice-president Dick Cheney. Following the
flashy and fun style of “The Big Short” but without all the
terminology and convoluted plot that was so confusing to us general
folks. Christian Bale transforms himself, yet again, this time to
play Cheney as the slimy, power-hungry creep he was. “Vice”
doesn’t use humor quite as much as “The Big Short” but it has
some truly interesting things to say about modern politics. It may
not be the sort of entertainment many of us want in these politically
charged times but it’s another cleverly directed dramedy with fine
performances and something to say about the state of the world we’re currently
living in. Conservatives need not apply.
Let’s get this out
of the way first, anyone who thought George W. Bush was a good
president is not going to find much to like about “Vice.” It’s
a scathing critique of him and his administration. And yet it doesn’t
necessarily portray Bush and his team as complete morons… at least
not too much. It’s obvious writer/director Adam McKay is making a
strong political statement and there’s no dancing around that. Bush
is played by recent Oscar winner Sam Rockwell and the actor does a
good impression and makes a good job in the limited role. An entire
film lambasting George W. is almost too easy. And you can watch
Oliver Stone’s “W.” for that. Here, we witness the political
rise of one of the most mysterious and least liked politicians in
American history. On the flipside he was also one of the most
powerful American vice-presidents, a role he himself thought of as
meaningless and pointless. The film purports that the former
politician and businessman sought an opportunity to be the most
powerful vice president for a man who sought the presidency to please
his father and not because he actually wanted the job.
McKay employs some
really fun cinematic techniques which makes “Vice” more than just
your standard biopic. For instance, when Cheney ends his bid for the
presidency in the early 90s (mostly because his daughter Mary came
out as a lesbian) the film suggests the story of the Cheney’s is
over. The credits begin to roll until the film’s narrator (Jesse
Plemons appearing onscreen as a blue-collar worker named Kurt)
interrupts and says that’s not where things end at all. There’s
even a sequence in which Dick and his wife Lynne (Amy Adams, really
strong here) perform Shakespearean dialogue as they retire to bed.
But as a straightforward biopic, Cheney’s story is still pretty
interesting actually considering he had a lesbian daughter (played by
Allison Pill) and accidentally shot a friend in the face with a shot
gun during a quail hunt.
The main takeaways
from “Vice” is what so many people assumed all those years ago
when George W. Bush was president: that Dick Cheney was really
running the show. It’s true though. Certainly your political
beliefs will certainly help you decide whether “Vice” is the type
of movie you find appealing but you can’t help the innovative style
of McKay’s script and direction. Sure he borrows a lot of what
worked in “The Big Short” but I found “Vice” way more
engrossing of the two. In the end the film isn’t afraid to portray
the main character as exactly what he is: a dick. GRADE: B+
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