Nixon

There is no lack of films that depict the monstrously driven American men who achieve enormous success - only to be destroyed by the same fears and flaws that drove their desire. "Nixon", a picture on a lesser rung than There Will Be Blood and Citizen Kane, is made more intriguing by the director who took charge of it. Director Oliver Stone is hardly the kind of person you'd expect to be a Richard Nixon defender, and yet, while portraying this American's 37th leader as an ugly and power-hungry person, the JFK director went out of his way and tried to explain what motivated Nixon — especially, a lifelong feeling of inadequacy.

Anthony Hopkins does not physically resemble Richard Nixon, but he encapsulates this character, and the lurking darkness of the Watergate research that dominates the last third of the film is both spellbinding and deeply disturbing. You can realize the feeling of dread slowly engulfing a politician who was, at heart, a fatalist.

"Nixon" does not leave you with a positive impression of Tricky Dick, but still, you are overcome by the sorrow of his life, and how his ego, wrath, and ambition could never overcome his self-doubt, despite how much he wished differently. The film has been considered by many as one of the best movies about American presidents.

Year of Release: 1995

Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Joan Allen

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%