Movie Notes: All The President’s Men

May 6th, 2009

All The President's Men

= 5 stars

Starring Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford, Jack Warden
Directed by Alan J. Pakula

Synopsis

Based on the true story of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, two Washington Post journalists and their investigation of the Watergate break in, which ultimately culminated in President Nixon’s resignation.

The Good

The first frames are an extreme close up of letters typed on a typewriter, with the strikes on paper sounding like gunshots. It’s a perfect introduction to the power of words, specifically those armed with the truth.
Visually boring subjects are anything but. Both reporters untangle a large web of seemingly unrelated people and events through relentless questioning, yet the film is filled with tension. I chalk this up to the high stakes of the subject matter, expert pacing (cuts and careful closeups), and the acting skills of Redford and Hoffman. Redford in particular makes talking on the phone and nervous typing seem like a matter of life and death – note one magical unbroken shot (about 48 minutes in) where Redford juggles several people on the phone, puts pieces together and jumps to the typewriter after an “aha” moment while the camera slowly drifts closer toward him. It’s all Redford kicking serious ass. Later, Redford and Hoffman double-team various subjects through careful questioning; another treat.
The mysterious “Deep Throat” (Hal Holbrook) guides Bob Woodward in certain directions, saying “follow the money,” lending a spooky paranoia to the proceedings.

The Bad

The film cuts short before the eventual trial and Nixon resignation, all we get are a series of typed headlines.

Conclusion

Watergate, a turning point where Americans learned the government couldn’t be trusted, forms a solid foundation to this film. Then add Redford and Hoffman, both actors at the top of their games. Redford conveys a crucial aspect of Woodward’s character: hunger. He’s certain there’s a big story here, they’re onto something huge, and it’s worth following the leads to their eventual end no matter what the consequences. That determination is a key part of journalism’s role as a check and balance to the government. How this truth is conveyed – largely by one actor on a telephone – makes for an amazing, powerful, and important film.

IMDB: All The President’s Men
Wikipedia: All The President’s Men
Rotten Tomatoes: All The President’s Men

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