Review: Vice

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We tried our fucking best.

Vice follows the story of Dick Cheney (Christian Bale) as he ascends from a drunk that gets into bar fights to the vice president of the United States under George W. Bush (Sam Rockwell) and all the controversies that came his way. 

Director Adam McKay proved a few years ago that he can direct more than just comedies like Anchorman with his Oscar winning The Big Short. Vice follows a similar formula to that, it gives us a narrator in Kurt (Jesse Plemmons) who explains everything as we go along, and occasionally cuts away to something amusing. This approach works well because lets face it, a Dick Cheney biopic on its own is depressing as hell.

McKay doesn't hold back his dislike for Cheney, he's treated as a villain throughout the entire film. He never goes too over the top with it either, even when Dick is doing something slightly un-dickish. You know the next thing is right around the corner. He's compared to Galactus in a brilliant nerd moment, and his heart attacks are treated as a comedic device. Not many people could pull that off, but McKay did.

Christian Bale is outstanding, not only for what he put his body through to get to Cheney's shape, but he nails his voice and accent perfectly. It's extraordinary to hear this coming out of Bale's mouth. Amy Adams is also wonderful as his wife Lynne. I really thought this would end up being a nothing role for her but she gets some great scenes to work with and also does the accent perfectly. Rockwell was a great choice for W as well. McKay could've gone the easy route and cast his friend Will Ferrell, who played him several times on SNL I'm sure, but Rockwell is less showy and does a great job. Steve Carell and Allison Pill are two other standouts as Donald Rumsfeld and Mary Cheney respectively.

If I have one critique of Vice, it's that it does feel a tad long, but the script and the actors are so wonderful I can deal with that. There was a lot of genius here.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: A

Memorable Quote: "

Comments

  1. Often Off TopicJanuary 8, 2019 at 8:22 AM

    I couldn't understand why Christian Bale's name came up in the trailer for this because I never in a million years would have guessed it was him!
    Vice still isn't out in the UK but I have a feeling it might be my cinema's next secret screening on Monday...that or If Beale Street Could Talk!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 8, 2019 at 10:45 AM

      Both of those would be worth going to! I'm still waiting for Beale Street here.

      Delete
  2. BirgitJanuary 8, 2019 at 8:48 AM

    Oh how I want to see this! I like Christian bale despite his rants...I chalk it up to ADHD:) This movie looks quite good and how sad that this bumbling fool of a president and the slimy, nasty Vice could actually look better than what is in office now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 8, 2019 at 10:45 AM

      Oh I know. What a sad state America is in. Hopefully we can change that in 2020.

      Delete
  3. s.January 8, 2019 at 10:37 AM

    Oh I loved Bale in this! This wasn't as fun as The Big Shirt but it was a really good movie. I'm so glad he didn't hire Ferrell :P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 8, 2019 at 10:44 AM

      Yay you watched it! I'm glad you loved Bale. I liked this slightly better than The Big Short but TBS was definitely funnier.

      Delete
  4. GeektellerJanuary 8, 2019 at 1:45 PM

    I'm not a fan of American politics and the trailer didn't wow me, but consider your review and the Golden Globes win, I might go see it. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 8, 2019 at 8:18 PM

      American politics right now are depressing so I needed this satire lol.

      Delete
  5. thevoid99January 8, 2019 at 3:20 PM

    I'm still unsure about it as I've heard polarizing reactions to this film but I think it kind of helps the film in some ways. Still, I'd want to see it because of Adam McKay. Plus, Christian Bale did something not many people would've done and that is to thank Satan.

    Satan doesn't get enough appreciation for the fact that his job is to try and balance the spectrum between good and evil though it's unfortunate that it's evil being more dominant than good as he's working overtime trying to make a Hellish home for our dictator and several others. Satan needs some love for showing us what not to do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 8, 2019 at 8:18 PM

      lol at least he's got Christian to thank him on national television.

      I think Vice is definitely worth a theater watch. It's very divisive with critics but I thought it was wonderful and I think if you liked The Big Short you'll like this too. It's not like he lets Cheney get away with anything.

      Delete
  6. KatyJanuary 8, 2019 at 5:52 PM

    Nice review! I'm a bit surprised by a positive review 'cause I've read so many negative ones. lol I love the cast and was hopeful about what Adam McKay wrote/directed, so it'll be more fun to see this if I get the chance.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 8, 2019 at 8:16 PM

      I really disagree with those. I thought this was genius and Bale is so good.

      Delete
  7. keith71_98January 9, 2019 at 8:17 AM

    Welllll you know I'm the party-pooper here. To keep things positive I did really like Bale and Adams! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 10, 2019 at 6:40 AM

      That's perfectly fine. I'll take more praise for them lol

      Delete
  8. m.brownJanuary 11, 2019 at 10:13 AM

    Such a good flick, glad you liked it too. I'm still kind of in awe of what Bale did here. I mean...that shit's unbelievable.

    Rockwell was hysterical...and I'm with you, glad he didn't pick Will. Would have been beyond distracting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 12, 2019 at 6:39 AM

      Bale needs this Oscar, I was firmly on Bradley Cooper's bandwagon until I saw this. Sorry alcoholic with abs, this one deserves it more.

      Delete
  9. UnknownJanuary 19, 2019 at 8:15 AM

    Nice review. Thank heavens American politics has grown up in the intervening years.... #sarcasm. My review here: https://bob-the-movie-man.com/2019/01/18/one-manns-movies-film-review-vice-2019/

    ReplyDelete

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