As it is based on a true story, it is obvious that there is no actual assassination in The Assassination of Richard Nixon. In fact, it’s a strange title, because his life isn’t even directly attempted on. Further still, the idea of killing the president isn’t even an issue until the last 10 minutes of the film.

The story preceding that is about Samuel Bicke (Sean Penn), a neurotic sort of guy who is obsessed with the idea that The Man is keeping him down. It’s never exactly clear why Bicke has such a strong sense of victimization, except that he’s has martial problems and difficulty keeping a job – both of which happen to be entirely his own fault. He’s convinced that “the system” is out to keep him down though. He’s also convinced that everyone is racist, which makes him sympathize with his black friend Bonny (Don Cheadle), even though he really isn’t in need of sympathy because he’s doing alright for himself.

It’s an interesting character study. A major part of Samuel’s claim of victimization has to do with his self-image of honesty. Even though he fudges about his marital status to the boss of his new job as a furniture salesman, Samuel prides himself on his hard-core honesty. As such he struggles heavily with obligations to smudge the truth about prices as a salesman. What I don’t understand is, why doesn’t Samuel just get a non-sales job?

Anyway, midway through the movie Samuel jumps on the downward spiral into madness. Ever the more convinced of his rightness because of his honesty, he is increasingly convinced that he has the right to do whatever it takes to make the world just for the common man. He eventually decides the only way to do this is to kill President Nixon, but doesn’t get far into his mission.

While it’s fascinating to watch this wierdo – played, as usual, on the button by Penn – work out his twisted rationalization in his mind, there is really nothing positive to come of it. His life lends us no real insights, and we are none the better for it. It’s the sad, strange tale of a sad, strange man, but nothing more.

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