oi gevalt

It's bloated, self-indulgent and confused with regards to content as well as form, not to mention deeply unsure as to the way it wants to portray Nixon. There are good points, sure -- Hopkins is good in the lead, and Sorvino's Kissinger positively takes the cake -- but when you're faced with Stone's stodgy and didactic scriptwriting (the scene with the protesters at the Lincoln memorial, anyone?) and the appallingly overbearing cinematography for over three hours, it's really easy to forget.

Very well-made and benefited by Anthony Hopkins' splendid turn as Nixon. Its laborious runtime, though, kills its potential for greatness.

As historical fiction this film establishes a powerful, if factually questionable, image of Nixon. Hopkins puts everything on the table, but this seems like a better reflection of Nixon's public persona, and Stone's imagination, than it is an accurate historical record. The drama and intrigue is appealing and well constructed, and as a film this is a wonderful character study.

Robert Richardson's cinematography is something to be seen.

Not completely successful, but an excellent Hopkins performance. As with most Stone movies, this one is heavy-handed, too obvious in its politics, and unrelieved by either humor or humanity.

I can see why other people would dislike it - the film is schizophrenic and hangs around way too long. But hey, that was Nixon in real life. He is simultaneously the weirdest and one of the most fascinating figures in American politics, so Hopkins giving a tour-de-force ensures a strong score. In hindsight this is actually more historically illuminating than Stone's magnus opus JFK.

72.875

I liked the mythologization and all the performances are great without question, but the script and sentimental tone make it rather mediocre.

God bless Oliver Stone for putting this film in non-chronological order. The alternative version would have been unwatchable.

It's a superb, thoughtful drama that doesn't claim to be a documentary and shouldn't be judged as such.

"A staggering work of empathy for Stone." - Matt Noller

Too long and very self-indulgent and confusing at times, but Stone mostly manages to pull it off. The performance of Hopkins and the cinematography are great, and the pacing is nicely done throughout the movie. I do think however that a lot of parts could have been cut, if it had been shorter and more to the point it would have made for a much better movie. You have to be in the mood to watch this because it's a long dragged out drama, however a solid film nonetheless.

well acted film