Details
Movie Description
Using a nonchronological narrative style à la CITIZEN KANE (from which he quotes), director Oliver Stone explores former president Richard Nixon's strict Quaker upbringing, his nascent political strivings in law school, and his strangely self-effacing courtship of his wife, Pat (played by Joan Allen). The contradictions in his character are revealed early, in the vicious campaign against Helen Gahagan Douglas and the oddly masochistic Checkers speech. His defeat at the hands of the hated and envied John F. Kennedy in the 1960 presidential election, followed by the loss of the 1962 California gubernatorial race, seem to signal the end of his career. Yet, although wholly lacking in charisma, Nixon remains a brilliant political operator,
seizing the opportunity provided by the backlash against the antiwar movement
to take the presidency in 1968. It is only when safely in office, running far ahead in the polls for the 1972 presidential election, that his growing paranoia comes to full flower, triggering the Watergate scandal.
Surprisingly, Stone evinces considerable compassion as he gives us a Nixon of tragic stature and nearly Shakespearean dimension in this powerfully moving film. The star-studded cast, including Ed Harris and James Woods, complements Hopkins's extraordinary performance.
Synopsis
The last of Oliver Stone's series of films dealing with the 1960s, NIXON stars Anthony Hopkins as the title character. Using a non-chronological narrative style a CITIZEN KANE (from which it quotes), Stone explores the former president's strict Quaker childhood, his nascent political strivings in law school, and his strangely self-effacing courtship of wife Pat (Joan Allen). The contrasts of his character are revealed early, in the vicious campaign against Helen Gahagan Douglas and the oddly masochistic Checkers speech. His defeat at the hands of the hated and envied John F. Kennedy in the 1960 presidential election, followed by the loss of the 1962 California gubernatorial race, seems to signal the end of his career. Yet, although wholely lacking in charisma, he remains a brilliant political operator and seizes the opportunity provided by the backlash against the antiwar movement to take the presidency in 1968. It is only when safely in office, running far ahead in the polls for the 1972 presidential election, that his growing paranoia comes to full flower, triggering the tragedy of Watergate. Surprisingly, Stone evinces considerable compassion as he gives us a Nixon of tragic stature and nearly Shakespearean dimension in this powerfully moving film. Hopkins's extraordinary performance is complemented well by all in the star-studded cast.
Film Notes
Theatrical release: December 20, 1995
The film grossed $13.7 million domestically.
The film includes color, black and white, 35mm, and Super-8 film.
The Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the Boston Society of Film Critics each voted Joan Allen best supporting actress of 1995. The Los Angeles Film Critics Association also voted Anthony Hopkins runner-up for its best actor award.
The video releases include five scenes (lasting about 20 minutes total) that were not included in the finished film. They have been added after the film's credits. One of the sequences features Sam Waterston as former CIA director Richard Helms. Helms himself had threatened the filmmakers with a libel suit if it appeared in the movie.
A companion book, edited by Eric Hamburg, was released and includes the film's screenplay, transcripts from the Watergate tapes, and commentary. The script contains footnotes revealing historical sources used by Oliver Stone.
Former Nixon aides John Dean and Alexander Butterfield were technical advisers.
NIXON was the last film for costume designer Richard Hornung, who died of AIDS December 30, 1995, at the age of 45.
The White House sets in NIXON were also used in two other films produced in 1995; Rob Reiner's THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT and Mel Brooks' DRACULA: DEAD AND LOVING IT.
Director Oliver Stone's original choice for the role of Richard Nixon was Tom Hanks.
Industry Reviews
"...Gripping psychodrama....Technically the film is a marvel..."
Rolling Stone - p.63 - Peter Travers (01/29/1996)
"...Riveting....The film compliments Nixon with grandeur....A fascinating film..."
Sight and Sound - p.48-9 - Jose Arroyo (03/01/1996)
"...NIXON is a behind-closed-doors portrayal....Stone's casting prowess is paramount, and there are pungent performances even in the cameos..." -- 3 out of 4 stars
USA Today - p.1D - Mike Clark
"...[An] emotionally shattering elegy....[Watch it on] letterbox..." -- Rating: A-
Entertainment Weekly - p.66 - Steve Daly (07/12/1996)
"...[Hopkins has] done an excellent job....[Allen] gives her Pat Nixon a surprising dimensionality and often touching humanity..."
Variety - Todd McCarthy (12/18/1995)
"...[Stone] creates empathy for this most enigmatic of American leaders. One of the year's best films..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (12/22/1995)
Quotations
"When they look at you, they see what they want to be. When they look at me, they see what they are." -- Richard M. Nixon (ANTHONY HOPKINS) to portrait of John F. Kennedy.
"Can you imagine what this man might have been had he ever been loved?" -- Henry A. Kissinger (PAUL SORVINO)
"Do you think I want all the world to see my mother like this? Raising a dirty mouth?" -- Richard M. Nixon (ANTHONY HOPKINS) reacting to his own use of foul language on the Watergate tapes.
"You want them to love you, but they never will!" -- Pat Nixon (JOAN ALLEN) to Richard M. Nixon (ANTHONY HOPKINS) before he faces a crowd of people.
"Dick, sometimes I understand why they hate you. I remember Alger Hiss. I know how ugly you can be. You're capable of anything." -- Pat Nixon (JOAN ALLEN) to Richard M. Nixon (ANTHONY HOPKINS.
"What have I done wrong?" -- Richard M. Nixon (ANTHONY HOPKINS)
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