Anthony Hopkins As President Richard Nixon (Nixon, 1995)
Writer-director Oliver Stone has long been fascinated with the office of the President of the United States. Having made JFK in 1991, and W in 2008, Nixon is the filmmaker’s exploration of the man behind the scandal. Co-written by Stephen J. Rivele and Christopher Wilkinson, the film came under fire by many that had been close to the former President – but Stone remained steadfast that his portrait of ‘Tricky Dickie’ was relevant.
That relevance comes largely from the Oscar nominated performance delivered by Academy Award winner, Anthony Hopkins. With the narrative framed by the scenario of Nixon listening to his collection of secret recordings during the height of the Watergate scandal, we see a man beginning to unravel at the edges. There are implications of alcohol abuse and questionable judgement. There are references to President Kennedy, and the Bay Of Pigs invasion. There are allusions made to Fidel Castro and the broader ramifications of the Watergate crisis.
Throughout it all, there is Anthony Hopkins – circling the drain as a man desperately clinging to power – knowing the inevitable storm of controversy that is about to engulf him, his Presidency, and his overall legacy.
