Vice comes from writer director Adam McKay, and in many ways feels like a sequel (well... prequel, chronologically speaking) to his acclaimed film The Big Short. It comes similarly charged with righteous anger over people in power screwing people over. It uses similar fourth-wall-breaking narrative gimmicks to leaven a serious subject with humor. It even features some of the same actors. But Vice is a far less skillful effort than The Big Short.
It feels like Adam McKay might lack the strength of his convictions this time around. It feels like he wants to make a movie that completely demonizes Dick Cheney. Count me among the audience that has no problem with that whatsoever. But as though fearing criticism from those that don't share that view (criticism from people who could never be mollified in this instance), McKay spends a fair amount of screen time trying to humanize Cheney. This might be a worthwhile allocation of time if the film was planning to go full biopic. But McKay doesn't truly want you to understand where Cheney comes from, and certainly doesn't want you to sympathize with him. Like I said, I'm fine with that... but then why waste the time at all in a decidedly half-hearted effort at "balance?"
There are some laughs peppered throughout the movie, but most are generated in the same way as the laughs from The Big Short. The few that aren't are more in the style of Family Guy, odd "cutaway gags" spliced into the narrative for a quick jolt. They're fun at times, but not as clever overall as (sorry to keep making this comparison) The Big Short.
If you trust the betting markets, Vice has virtually no chance of actually winning the Best Picture Oscar. But its getting more attention in the acting categories, where it has several other nominations. Sam Rockwell is up for Best Supporting Actor for his impersonation of George Bush. Actually, it's more of an impersonation of Will Ferrell impersonating George Bush, and is of such marginal screen time that I find myself scratching my head over that nomination. (I like Rockwell, but in his category, I'd sooner pick Steve Carell from this film, for his role as a callously wicked Donald Rumsfeld.)
Amy Adams is up for Best Supporting Actress as Lynne Cheney. Again, I don't get it. I see the love for Amy Adams generally, of course, and it's a shame she hasn't won for some of her previous deserving work. This movie and this role simply doesn't ask much of her -- the script offers a simplistic character with little emotional variety.
In any case, the real talk revolves around the extreme method acting of Christian Bale, who this time gained 40 pounds to play Dick Cheney. Bale does transform completely, and it is a matter of performance skill and not just makeup. But again, the script itself really doesn't make many demands beyond an impersonation. This version of Cheney is not nuanced. We're kept at emotional distance from the few reckonings he experiences in the film. If it's okay for the Oscars to sometimes reward a skillful impersonation, then I guess Bale is deserving. But this is among the least of his performances in terms of taking the audience with him on a profound journey.
If you hated the Bush administration as much as I did, you may find some cleansing value in watching Vice. But it's a rather scattershot piece of entertainment. I give it a C.
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