I had been on sort of a drought for good drama when coming across this film, and then it poured. I was fully hydrated by this project in almost all of its aspects. The champion actor was Redford but followed up by Hoffman, both give good performances. I have seen Redford deliver before, but I have also seen far more disappointments and often want to call his success into question. But, in this movie, he elevates himself to a class of actors he is universally being held to, so deserving.The director, Alan J. Pakula, does have a rapsheet of success, but not in too many films I have seen. In this film however he establishes his goals immediately, then sets out and accomplishes those goals. The creativity in storytelling is great. He creates suspense in places suspense doesn't come natural. The film does however lack real threat in its suspense as we never hear of or see possible threats or harm to our characters. The suspense comes from power, the power in the opposition, not necessarily in the threats or fears created by modern or common drama.
The film does conflict with some preferences I have, but still so good at what its doing it keeps you on the edge of your seat till it ends, abruptly... I am not a fan of how the film comes to a halt. The movies biggest problems are held down because of factual elements of the real events it was based on. It isn't often a movie is done better than decent when it comes to telling real events, but this one gets it good. When a film is so good at telling truth this well, it would be safe to say it couldn't have been better told. I just don't know if I will ever feel too much motivation to see it again.
"All the President's Men"
8.5 / 10
8.5 / 10
