Vice (Movie 2018)

Vice is not a formulaic bio-pic on the 46^th Vice President of the United States, Dick Cheney. It moves back and forth throughout his life to show the connections and importance of events. But something surprising is the tongue in cheek humor and surreal moments to highlight situations. You will hear this film stars Christian Bale. There is no Christian Bale here. It was Dick Cheney. Bale has to be the best actor in the modern era. I have seen some amazing performances this year but this was truly remarkable. We see in Cheney’s younger years no real drive or ambition. But once the taste for power grabbed hold there was no stopping him. This film shows the man to be smart, cunning, and ruthless. Amy Adams held her own in this as  Dick’s wife, Lynne Cheney. And Lynne is a force to be reckoned with herself. The cast all around was great. Sam Rockwell is believable giving us a good ole boy President George W. Bush. Steve Carrell gives a not very likeable Donald Rumsfeld. Tyler Perry plays the conflicted Colin Powell. Of course this also highlights the polarization of our nation with people these days either being far right or left of the aisle. Some will feel either it’s bashing one side or maybe that it didn’t go far enough. But whatever your political view might be I ask put it all aside if just to witness the tremendous talent of Christian Bale.