Rating: Summary: Better than it should have been... Review: I had low expectations for this film - I expected a sophmoric, idiotic "comedy" with nothing better to offer than a few chuckles. It turned out to be a surprisingly funny and very clever comedy, giving My Big Fat Greek Wedding a run for its money, in my opinion. The basic premise is that Deep Throat was and is two 15 year old ditzy schoolgirls who accidentally bring about the fall of the Nixon administration. (Arlene happens to live in the Watergate Hotel). While the interaction between Michelle Williams and Kirsten Dunst (who never disappoints) is at the center of the movie and most of the laughs, the cast is an all-star ensemble cast of some of the funniest people in the business. Dan Hedeya's Nixon is as good as any, SNL alum Ana Gasteyer as Rosemary Woods is both bizarre and hilarious. Harry Shearer, Jim Breuer, and Saul Rubinek, while not featured heavily, all shine in their scenes as G. Gordon Liddy, John Dean, and Henry Kissenger, respectively. Dave Foley is delightfully sleazy as Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman, but none come close to the uproarious interaction between Will Ferrell and Bruce McCulloch as "the liberal muckraking bastards" Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Redford and Hoffman were never this funny. All in all this one of the funniest movies and best surprises I have seen in months, and you needn't be a Watergate buff to enjoy it. I am, and all I did was explain a few basics to my brother before he watched it, and he was rolling on the floor. I would reccommend this to anyone who wants to see a delightfully parody on the events of Watergate, and for that matter anyone who wants a good comedy.
Rating: Summary: Because Fred Fielding is boring Review: "Dick" is one of the funniest, smartest movies I've ever seen.I came to this movie for two reasons: I'm fond of political satire, and I'm a huge Kids In The Hall fan- alums Dave Foley and Bruce McCulloch are both in the cast, as Bob Haldeman and Carl Bernstein, respectively. I didn't really have high expectations for it, but was incredibly surprised at how clever and accessible the movie is. As other reviewers have mentioned, it's hard to know who "Dick" is marketed towards- wouldn't pre/early teen fans of Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams be put off at the constant barrage of '70's references? And would Watergate/political aficionados be caught dead watching something as seemingly silly as this? Well, I think anyone can enjoy this, although if you have no knowledge of Watergate, you might want to find out a few basic facts before watching- even so, "Dick" doesn't demand much from its audience. You don't even have to be a Nixon-hater to enjoy it, as I think Tricky Dick comes off as less of a monster and more the flawed human he was- one of the funniest situations in the movie is when Arlene (Michelle Williams) falls head over heels in love with Nixon, dreaming about them riding a horse along the beach! Dunst and Williams are great as 15-year olds Betsy and Arlene, and Dan Hedaya is perfect as Nixon. Other standouts include Jim Breuer as White House counsel John Dean (a glorified cameo really, but very memorable), and of course Will Ferrell as Bob Woodward- this is the best I've ever seen Ferrell in a film role. In short, a hilarious movie that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age or political leanings.
Rating: Summary: Better if you weren't alive for Watergate Review: I wasn't born when the whole Watergate scandal happened, so all I know of it is what is taught in school (not much). The movie has a lot of references to the 70's that some people, mostly those born in the late 80's, early 90's may not get. Makes those of us who do get them feel pretty old. :c) Woodward and Bernstein are hilarious! Two professional reporters arguing over who's going to do the talking. If you do remember Watergate or have studied it, take this movie with a grain of salt. It's meant to be a silly mockery of the whole incident.
Rating: Summary: The True Story of Watergate? Review: Dick is a tremendously funny movie that spoofs the gravity of the Watergate situation. It combines fictional characters with the real people who were involved. Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams play two dim-witted 15 year olds, Betsy & Arlene, who unwittingly stumble across G. Gordon Liddy and the Watergate break-in (Arlene lives at the Watergate) after sneaking out to mail a letter to Bobby Sherman. On a class trip to the White House, they again see Liddy and pick up the infamous CREEP list. Through a series of hysterical coincidences, they meet Richard Nixon, become official dog walkers and secret youth advisors, give Nixon cookies laced with marijuana, find the secret tapes, contact Woodward & Bernstein, are revealed to be the actual Deep Throat and provide the key information that takes down Nixon. The movie has a great soundtrack of 70's songs and is filled with authentic clothing and props. The cast is first-rate with Ms. Dunst & Ms. Williams perfectly playing the ditsy girls. They have fun with the roles, acting silly and impetuous as real teenagers would. Dan Heyda plays Nixon with the perfect amount of heaviness and Will Ferrell & Bruce McCullough are an absolute scream as the bickering Woodward & Bernstein. The cast is full of funny people including Dave Foley, Teri Garr, Jim Bruer & Harry Shearer. Dick is a well written, clever, funny and completely entertaining film.
Rating: Summary: Poor comedy Review: I'll admit that I only got this because, at the time, I had a crush on Michelle Williams. I watched the DVD once, about 4 years ago. And since I don't find her so attractive anymore I won't be watching it again because there is no other reason to waste my time. Andrew Fleming (who made a much better teen movie with 'The Craft') makes a big, unfunny joke of the Watergate scandal and President Nixon's massive corruption and anyone not familiar with the specifics (which just so happens to be the movie's target demographic) will be lost. Some older adults might get a lame chuckle at some of the flippant, throwaway humor but there is nought to recommend to anyone else. Why on earth would these girls be so infatuated with Nixon anyway other than to drive along the tiresome story. Even Will Ferrell fails to amuse and has nothing left to do but overact in order to fill up some screen time (much like everything else he does). The DVD is in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby 5.1 sound. It's nothing to write home about. Extras include a commentary, an Isolated music track (why?), a deleted scene, a featurette, a mildly amusing blooper reel and some trailers (one for Spice World! of all things!!!)
Rating: Summary: Very funny! Review: If you can get around the historical inaccuracy (such as the tape recording machine not being voice activated like the real one) of much of the film, you can enjoy a good laugh from 'Dick.' What I liked most about the film was that it wasn't really an anti-Nixon film (although they do make fun of Nixon)but it made fun of all the participants involved in America's most famous and odd political scandal. Kissinger, Liddy, Rose Mary Wood, Haldeman, Dean, and even Woodward and Bernstein are fair game!
Rating: Summary: One Brilliant Idea Stretched Too Much: Still Fun to See Review: Alas! We could not see the (video-only) release "Dick" in Japan until the spring of 2004 because the subject matter is not familiar to us. "Dick," as many have said, parodies everything about Watergate scandal, using a good idea -- what if two airhead high school students are really the still unknown source of two Washington Post writers, that is, "The Deep Throat"? And how come a certain portion of the tape has been erased? Well, watch this and be surprised! Kirsten Dunst and Michell Williams show great comic talent here as two high school students who stumble on the secrets of the White House without knowing it. To hush-up the embarrasing secrets, President Nixon (call me "Dick," as Dan Hedaya goes) appoints them as the official dog walker of the White House after the five guys were arrested for breaking into Watergate, which only leads to more complications. The comedy is funny especially when you remember how the scandal went on, and the original idea is brilliant. But the film streches it beyond its limits, and the second half is a rather disappointing fare. And some people would hate its ending, which should be alterd for a better one. After all, the parody should be made about the object, which should be treated with a certain feeling of respect or affection. (Do American people still hate him?) There are good supports all around -- see the two hilarious turns from "Bob" and "Carl" -- but the film belongs to the two leading ladies. If you're their fans, do not miss.
Rating: Summary: Innocent no more... Review: I read some of the other reviews before watching this DVD,and I agree that the film is quite funny and well-acted. The amusement died towards the end, however. The two girls start out as very innocent and sweet; as they become involved in the Watergate scandal, they "grow up" a bit and become more cynical, nasty. I know this isn't a serious film, but it just made me sad. The drug-related humor (I suppose some would find it humorous) was not amusing to me, nor was the overt exploitation of the girls' sexuality. The last few scenes were just wrong for the film. Too bad... This film should be rated R--it's definitely an adult comedy.
Rating: Summary: Not bad Review: Honestly, comedy and Watergate fits together like drinking and driving. This movie somehow manages to combine those two things in a way thats quite entertaining. Kirsten Dunst (quite good) and Michelle Williams play two 15-year-olds who stumble into the Watergate scandal. This is bareley believable, but good for a few good laughs. "Dick" is mainly watchable because of the superb performances of Dan Hedaya (as Richard Nixon) and -even better- Saul Rubinek (as Henry Kissinger). If you need something more serious about Watergate, go and see ALL THE PRESIDENT`S MEN, which is more realistic, but not as funny :-)
Rating: Summary: eeeh..thats all i have to say Review: it was a good film, but not one of kirsten dunts's bests. It was funny at some parts, but i guess its point was to be educational in showing us what we remembered from the watergate incident..but i just found it all kind of boring..
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