Director
Adam McKay
(THE BIG SHORT)

Starring
Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Sam Rockwell and Steve Carell

Three hundred and sixty days…that’s how long it’s been between the first movie I considered a 5 star film in 2018 (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) and the second, Vice. I wasn’t sure we were going to get another one this year, but just when I was about to give up hope, Adam McKay has produced a film to blow most others out of the water.

McKay has certainly come a long way in the past 18 years. The man who directed comedies such as Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy will now be in fair contention to take out the Best Achievement in Directing Oscar in 2019. In this speculatively ‘factual’ biopic of former Vice President Dick Cheney, McKay further sharpens his deft use of comedy to create the perfect storm of dark laughs and unnerving circumspection.

Taking us from Cheney’s early adulthood indiscretions, through his rise of power and influence during a number of Presidential administrations and most crucially, the role he played he played in the reprisal actions following the 9/11 terrorist attacks; Vice takes what we know about Cheney and adds some additional ‘facts’ as filler and tries to unlock the enigma of a man that was perhaps the most powerful 2IC in history.

Christian Bale is transformative as Cheney, having put on over 20 kilos for the role, he is almost unrecognisable. The notorious methodical actor is at his best throughout the film, at no point did it feel like Christian Bale playing a role, it was Dick Cheney on the screen. Bale might as well start writing his Golden Globes speech now as I can’t see anyone knocking him over in the Musical or Comedy Actor category.  Similarly, Sam Rockwell captures the essence of President George W Bush with aplomb; teetering on the edge of ridicule but never crossing that line. It’s been a big 12 months for Rockwell after taking home the Best Supporting Actor Oscar earlier in the year, and he’s really proven himself as a character actor in demand.

The brilliance of Vice is that it comes across as if it’s not taking itself seriously, however beneath the surface there is a very disconcerting yet felicitous message it wishes to convey. It’s like the cool, good looking guy at school who also happens to be the dux of his class. At a time when there is so much concern over how much power those in the White House wield, Vice is a timely reminder that it’s an issue that warrants serious consideration.

Vice is a film that should appeal to political aficionados and casual observers alike, although a basic knowledge of Cheney and the role he played in US politics is an advantage when appreciating some of the finer aspects of the films comical charm; particularly if you wish to avoid an awkward gaffe like one cinema goer in the screening I attended….*spoiler alert* just remember folks, the films credits don’t usually start rolling an hour into the film.

If you’re anything at all like me, the excitement of Boxing Day cinema releases is just about the highlight of the Holiday Season…so do yourselves a favour and make sure that Vice is on the top of your wish list this December 26^th.

5 stars

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