vishnudoc
The theme is overburdeningly political , no point denying that there is a political agenda . Donot go for the ethical and moral questions about portraying real living individuals as assassin victims or elevated presidents . Subtle attempts at being politically correct , to have a social message of not to label any faith or religious denomination on mere assumptions might be there ,attempts to go on record about the simmering discontent of Iraq war veterans and their families upon the loss of life or limb also may be underlying . The social message is well conceived and put forth . All these apart this is a very powerful sobering fictional documentary ( if that is the right word ). It is the story telling and the wave of credible emotions that struck me . A must see for any serious contemporary movie watcher . A wonderful film !!!
dromasca
This film caused a lot of controversy last year and the subject is certainly something to talk about. If we need to put it in a category it would belong into political fiction - the story of a political crime that luckily was never committed, but takes inspiration from the political killings in American and world history of the 20th century, from the assassination of president Kennedy and up to Yitzhak Rabin.As a political fiction movie the film is quite well made, with credible shots that make it look like a TV documentary made a few years after the crime. It is acted by unknown actors which adds credibility, as we do not associate them with any other role, and these are quite good, and fiction is combined with documentary by some fine editing. Less credible than the documentary atmosphere of the crime and investigation is the interpretation and the follow-up conclusions that the authors try to draw. As we all know history has taken a different course than the pessimistic scenario drawn in this movie, and because of this reason the film already looks outdated. Sometimes reality is better than the fictional history on screen.
D_Burke
"Death of a President" was billed understandably as a controversial film upon its release. In fact, for a while, it was deemed so controversial that it almost wasn't released in the United States. Naturally, Bush supporters spoke out against the movie, as did opponents to the Bush Administration including Hillary Clinton. Then the movie came out, people saw it . . . and the controversy completely disappeared after a week.What happened? Controversial films such as "Fahrenheit 9/11" still resonated heated discussion months, even years, after its auspicious and greatly hyped release. But therein lies a difference between Michael Moore's film and this one. Moore's was factual (depending on whom you ask), and this one was definitely fiction. There's another crucial difference, though. Moore's movie was . . . well made. This one wasn't.The movie had a great premise, but that's only when you look at the film as a hypothetical lesson: For some people (probably really extreme and equally disillusioned liberals), killing President Bush may seem like a good idea given his presidency is officially the most controversial in U.S. History. However, it is in no way a means to an end. In fact, killing Bush would just make the world, and the U.S., worse off than it actually is.The movie communicated that message, but it did so in a very questionable way. The movie seemed to imply that should President Bush be killed by an assassin's bullet, no one except Dick Cheney and other Republicans would care about his death. Then Cheney would become President, pretty much throw away the Constitution by passing Patriot Act III (was there ever a II? Not that I can remember), and the entire nation would just stand aside and let him do it. In my opinion, that's not very likely.Plus, the whole scenario on the search for Bush's killer was way too over the top. The movie again implied that the country would jump right to conclusions and assume that a Muslim did it, while the movie assumes the audience thinks that Muslims in general are the only group of people who hate the Bush Administration. That scenario is way too far fetched, and wasn't very well thought out by the filmmakers. Throughout history, the Secret Service has succeeded in both a.) preventing a President from being fatally wounded by an assassin since 1963, and b.) quickly finding the assassin every time, usually within a few blocks of the killing. This whole scenario which comprised the second half of the movie was where the entire film lost all credibility.The best thing about the film was the editing, and the computer generated scenarios that made it look as though all this really had happened in real time. However, the acting from the people being interviewed in this documentary was shoddy at best, and the novelty of these interviewees really wore off the more unrealistic the movie became.Having said all that, I should note that I am a moderate liberal. In fact, I am a Democrat, and I think the Bush Administration has been the worst and the most corrupt of any administration in U.S. History. Do I hate President Bush? No. Do I hate what he has done to this country? Yes. Do I want him dead? Absolutely not! I'm not saying that because it's a federal offense to say it, either. I'm saying it because it's foolish, ignorant, and unpatriotic to the fullest extent to wish any person, let alone any member of government, to die.I credit this movie for not preaching that message that killing the President would be good for this country. Considering this movie was made by someone outside the U.S., they could have made that message easily while pulling a Roman Polanski and staying out of the country. But this movie was just so full of extreme cases that it was hard to take it seriously. If the film being so crappy saved the life of our President, then I say that's good. But overall, the movie became so forgettable that's it's not even worth recommending.
bigdaddyc_58103
For those of you that dislike GWB this movie is for you. Just like me I don't like GWB never will. I saw this movie on the shelf rented it and bought it the same day. Its too bad that the truth hurts so bad that those who like GWB would dislike this film. Its well made and well written and directed, It is so realistic you must check out this film.The sceans will shock you and make you think.I don't want to say to much even though I would like to I don't want any trouble with the powers that be.Best Quote "I saw the look on there face and the look on there face was hate." "Shots Fired Shots Fired."
