Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Adam McKay, Entertainment One, M 132 Minutes.
After winning the Oscar for ‘The Big Short’ in 2016, Adam Mckay has now directed his best movie to date, a brilliant bio-pic on the supposedly factual story of former US Vice President Dick Cheney and his dramatic rise to power.
The story begins back in the 1970’s with an insight into the youthful Cheney (Christian Bale –‘Dark Knight’), particularly his days as a drunkard and college failure before being brought to his senses by his strong-willed wife Lynne (Amy Adams –‘Arrival’).
Once rehabilitated, Cheney develops a close association with Donald Rumsfeld (Steve Carell –‘Foxcatcher’) who provides the catalyst for Cheney to familiarise himself with Washington’s machinations of power prior to being elected to Congress mainly due to Lynne’s leading campaign role.
In the run up to the 2000 presidential election Cheney is asked by George W. Bush (Sam Rockwell –‘Mr. Right’) to accept the prized position of Vice President, only to initially decline in order to protect his lesbian daughter Mary.
Following a further meeting with the inexperienced Bush, Cheney finally accepts his offer when George W agrees to hand over considerable power giving him unrestricted authority to take the necessary action against the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US.
Cheney later assumes command for the invasion of Iraq having manipulated the President to accept his warlike approach and installing his former friend Rumsfeld into the prime position of Secretary for Defense.
With the George W presidency coming to a close Dick and Lynne Cheney retreat to their property in Wyoming where the former VP undertakes further cardiac operations, one of which includes a life-saving heart transplant.
McKay has directed a thoroughly entertaining yet irreverent comedy/drama with many enjoyable scenes, such as those between Cheney, Bush, and Rumsfeld and in particular Cheney’s personal relationship with his wife Lynne whose influence was pervasive.
Overall the major highlights must be not only the perfectly-pitched portrayals by Bale, Rockwell and Adams but the remarkable resemblances of Bale/Rockwell to their real-life characters Dick Cheney/George W. Bush.
‘Vice’ would have to be one of the best political movies since ‘All the President’s Men’, revealing a Vice President’s far-reaching abuse of power that not only changed his country but left lasting consequences for the world at large.
Vic’s Verdict: 4 ½ Stars
