The world is in an horrendous political climate. It is, for want of a better word, a hellscape. With the rich and powerful well and truly in charge, it’s fun to explore just how horrendous it all is, has always been, and how bad it will be in Adam McKay’s brutal new movie.
Vice revolves around the life and career of Dick Cheney. For those whose extent of knowledge on Cheney doesn’t extend beyond this vince, Cheney found up in charge of some shady political stuff. Following him from his humble beginnings, the story shows how the bureaucratic Washington insider became the puppet-master behind a lot of wars and soon became Vice-President to George W. Bush. The film shows the implications of the dastardly deeds that are going in the White House. All the while, the film is narrated by affable soldier Kurt.
Adam McKay has had a long history of comedies from Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy to Academy Award winning The Big Short. For those who enjoyed the latter, a gimmicky drawl of a movie that uses celebrities to part financial exposition, then Vice is more likely to appeal to you. Certainly, the film is a lot funnier than The Big Short, and a lot more darker too. Yet McKay’s over-reliance on his shtick becomes over-bearing. Flitting between news-reel footage to fishing metaphors to restaurant metaphors, Vice derails it’s own narrative and it crashes out early on.
The problem with having so many gimmicks is that it becomes dull really quickly, which has the opposite effect of what the film is aiming for, especially as it twirls off into many different tangents. Vice feels like your drunk friend on a night out trying to tell a story but can no longer keep their place. Burping, slurring, and jabbering on, the end product is a mess of a tale you are no longer interested in. That’s exactly how Vice feels.
Christian Bale does his usual trick of morphing into the despicable lead character and also does well enough to echo some sort of empathy for the guy. To the extent where he feels human and, therefore, feels more horrendous as a person. As mentioned, Bale doesn’t use his make-up or “fat-suits” as a crutch and implements enough realism to make you intrigued.
In fact, all of the players here are brilliant. Steve Carrell is particular sadistic as Ronald Rumsfield and Jesse Plemmons makes a great turn as the affable narrator Kurt. Amy Adams, in a year when Hollywood wasn’t filled with other exceptional performances, would’ve been the leader for Best Supporting Actress. Truth is, she is more terrifying than Dick here as Lynne Cheney. She’s an immediate “ball-buster” and her steely reserve helped propel our lead to power, asking the question as to who really was the mastermind from the beginning.
Vice has a lot of interesting components but it is a narrative mess that wastes a good Nicholas Britell score. That being said, there is something ultimately enjoyable about McKay mining the absolute bastardy about people in charge.
Vice is out 25th January
Adams’ work as a Disney “princess” saw her shoot to fame in 2007. The film revolves around a young wannabe princess named Giselle who is transported from her animated role to the real live-action one and has to deal with the hard-knock-life that grimy New York offers. In the role, Adams is impeccable. Bouncy and fun one minute yet full of sorrow the next, Adams encompasses every single Disney Princess whilst similarly crafting a new and exciting one. Yes, she technically isn’t a princess but, well, sod it, she’s the best one! Just listen to “How Do You Know?” and tell me you don’t come away with sheer glee at Giselle’s heart-warming optimism.
Playing opposite heavy-weights such as Meryl Streep and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman is challenging. Tackling paedophilia in the church is more so. The young Amy Adams, coming off her commercial and critically acclaimed Disney work plunged deeply into this hefty drama and earned an Academy Award nomination for her troubles. She plays young Nun Sister James who suspects that a Father at their parish is abusing a young student, setting off a campaign against him despite there being no concrete proof. Amy Adams is stellar as the earnest young Nun who wanted to do good despite the circumstances. Greatly solidifying her as one of greatest actresses, this is a fine performance from Adams.
Proving a favourite with audiences and critics alike, Amy Adams completely immerses herself in a colourful and Muppety world opposite the likes of Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and Fossy Bear. Here she plays Mary girlfriend of Gary whose affections for her are pulled by his loyalty to brother Walter. Bringing the charms of Giselle to a brand new character, Adams is somewhat side-lined by the hilarious puppet pals. Within this fuzzy world, however, she has standout moments including her venture across LA by herself singing the vivacious Me Party that y’all need in your lives. Helping to bring the Muppets back for a whole new generation to enjoy, this a fun and fantastic role!
Again, the movie was only released yesterday but it is such a bloody brilliant performance that you can’t help but mention it. In fact, I urge you to fling your computer to one side, grab your nearest jacket, and head out to your local cinema because this is one film you aren’t going to want to miss on the big screen. As linguistics professor Louise, Adams’ plays a key role in unlocking the secrets of other-worldly visitors in Denis Villeneuve’s impeccable alien film. She’s astonishing. Absolutely perfect. Understated, emotionally charged, and full of clarity, Adams is bountiful in this stunning depiction of humanity’s need to work together to survive. Surely now, Adams is destined for legendary status.
