CarnivalAskew

The Assassination of Richard Nixon is based on the true story of Samuel Bicke (the spelling of whose name was changed to protect his family), a man virtually lost to history though he attempted to assassinate one of the most notorious of American presidents, Richard Nixon. Played by a stellar cast and superbly directed by Niels Mueller, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Executive Producer Kevin Kennedy, this story is extremely relevant in the current climate of terror and gives a human face to today's symbol of evil, the terrorist.

Sam Bicke (played by Sean Penn) is an idealistic and honest man who just can't seem to make his version of the American Dream become a reality. Unsuccessful at his job as a salesman because he just can't bring himself to lie or be deceitful and estranged from his wife (Naomi Watts) and their children, Sam lives in hope of his business loan being approved so that he and his mechanic mate Bonny (Don Cheadle) can open their mobile tire business. After losing his job in the office supply store Sam starts to lose it, seeing injustice everywhere he turns. Then he receives the letter that demolishes his hope...his loan was not approved. He then realises that the only way he can make his life worth something and aid all those Americans just like himself whose dreams have been shattered by the system is by carrying out a grand and historic gesture that will bring 'the man' to his knees. The one deserving villian that looms large for Bicke is Richard Nixon, described by his former boss (Jack Thompson) as the greatest salesman in history because he deceived the American people twice, with the same lie.

Ironically enough, inspired by a rogue helicopter pilot who managed to land on the White House, Sam decides to hijack a plane and crash it into the White House, thereby killing Nixon. This event is supported by actual news footage from the time of the hijacking. Throughout the film, images and footage of Nixon abound, reinforcing the reality of this doomed man's story. Unlike many other recent films that carry the 'based on a true story' line, this is as close to reality as you can get without delving into documentary.

Penn is fantastic as Bicke, innocent and childlike though oozing frustration and obsequious. He artfully portrays Sam's descent into the depths of despair and by the end of the film we are much more concerned about what happened to Sam, than about the fact that he tried to kill a president.

As mentioned previously, in light of recent world events this film is a beacon...it raises today's focus on terror to a human level, no longer can we look at suicide bombers and think they're just evil fanatics who are trying to destroy our way of life. This is, in fact, the focus of the film; how someone could go (in the words of Niels Mueller) '...from point A to point B, with point B being when this person loses all empathy for those around him and lashes out in indiscriminate violence.' Of course, another thing this film makes quite clear is the element of scapegoating that operates during such an event. But nevertheless, Sam Bicke's story is one that needed to be told and moreover, needs to be heard.