Vice

— “Vice” is an incendiary device for liberals, sort of a retelling of what I believe are fairly factual events in a comedic, satirical, pseudo-documentary style using good actors and tried and true propaganda techniques here and there as needed. It’s easy to watch and probably informative for some, but it’s hard to pinpoint the purpose. For a while it’s enough to have our current fears about presidential power reinforced until it sinks in that “alternative facts” and a more authoritarian presidency arrived fifteen years ago. Just as that’s sinking in, you begin to sense the writer-director’s indecisiveness. Should we be horrified or impressed by Cheney’s place in history? Is this a comedy or a drama? (Remember, the director was previously responsible for “Anchorman,” but also for “The Big Short.”) After more than two hours and four decades at a lively pace with a narrator whose link to the story is something of a surprise, it seems the only explanation for why the shift in freedoms happened lies at the feet of a rather emotionless, sharp and righteous man, or with his wife who made him promise to make something of himself before they were married, or with the American people who just weren’t paying attention. Worse, the film ends on a note of disdain for the audience! Although it's easy to cheer or jeer at its conspiratorial nature and it's an interesting viewing experience, its just not focused enough in tone or purpose to be satisfying after viewing.
[1/5/2019 Addendum: The more I talked with other people about this film and the more I thought about it, I decided my somewhat visceral initial reaction was too harsh. I judged it not on what it is but on what I wanted it to be and that’s not fair to any film. It’s a very well done film that’s definitely worth seeing. It’s even better if you leave before the credits roll.]

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[2018. 132 min. Written and directed by Adam McKay. Starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell, and Sam Rockwell.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/vice-2018