Vice - Der zweite Mann

When Christian Bale thanked Satan for inspiring his portrayal of Dick Cheney at the Golden Globes, he not only gained the fondness of the Church of Satan, but also expressed how McKay’s film is problematic. He takes a very easy target and, and with a complete lack of nuance, depicts Cheney as the most demonic figure in modern American history, responsible for the war in Iraq, the torture of prisoners and numerous other crimes against humanity. Despite Bale's convincing physical transformation into the powerful politician and the humorous etudes of the actors in supporting roles (though humorous in a way similar to the celebrity cameos in Anchorman), this is a one-dimensional portrait of a diabolical figure without any psychological depth and tells us nothing that we wouldn’t already know. Furthermore, it is an ugly, dull film with mundane direction and, most importantly – unlike The Big Short, which used the same alienating procedures much more systematically – it is not entertaining. The elitist condescension to viewers who clearly would not enjoy Vice (the girl in the intertitle scene, telling her friend how she looks forward to the next instalment of Fast & Furious) is, despite how clever the film pretends to be, really stupid. 50% (25.01.2019)

A classical American topic – the only attention it will draw will be at the Oscars… and then it will be forgotten. At least Amy Adams still has a pretty face. On the other hand, I would barely have recognized Christian Bale. I guess that this was why at the Golden Globes he thanked Satan for having had the chance to play in this movie… (13.02.2019)

Again, an overused alienation effect and again a constant effort to be above all things, even in moments when it would be appropriate to weigh and let the given information or twist settle calmly. And Adam McKay smiles and winks at me from every line of the script, but I still have yet to figure out whether he considers the audience his best friend or a stubborn fool. What's the use then, that Christian Bale, Steve Carell, and the sovereign Amy Adams can bend over backwards, when this slightly biting satire about a notorious juggernaut lifted from real life looks in a different direction at the most important moments? Still, it's good enough for a weaker average film, because the story, thanks to its bold time jumps, involuntarily captivates you – and unlike The Big Short, I don't get the feeling that I've sat through a lesson in recent history that lasts five hours. (01.02.2019)

A well-thought-out satire told in McKaye's typical style. Humorous scenes alternate unbelievably naturally with horrifying moments in modern history. Although Vice is another of Bale’s grand acting performances, this time the movie doesn’t rely on him alone. Adams and Rockwell are accomplished supporting actors. Primarily, however, the key things are the fresh screenplay and concept. A movie with an hour-long post-credits scene… They ruined House of Cards for us before the finale, and this could make up for that a little. (16.02.2019)

This is like watered down tea. McKay knows how to stage scenes, but the plot is a mess that never manages to fully draw the characters or deliver a deeper author’s message . (29.03.2019)

Endlich ein ordentlicher Film unter den Oscarnominierten. Zwar ist es mir unangenehm, das amerikanische politische Gesindel anzuschauen, das in einigen Teilen der Welt Chaos angerichtet hat, das bis heute nicht in irgendein minimales Gleichgewicht zu bringen ist. Der Streifen Vice - Der zweite Mann mit seinem halbdokumentarischen Stil, oft mit beißenden Kommentaren, seltsamen künstlerischen Vorgehensweisen und insgesamt einem unüblichen Arrangement zieht den Zuschauer in die Handlung, obwohl er ihn zwingt, ständig auf der Hut zu sein und sich zwischen den wechselnden Zeitebenen zu orientieren, doch man langweilt sich nicht eine Minute im Unterschied zu einigen anderen Oscar-Anwärtern. Und dann ist hier der Schauspieler Christian Bale, der schon lange zu den Chamäleons zählt, dies gilt auch für sein Äußeres, er kann als bis auf die Knochen abgemagert als auch als ordentlich aufgebläht erscheinen. Seine Darstellung des Cheney ist außergewöhnlich, er übertrifft Malek deutlich, also erwarte ich einen spannenden Zweikampf in der Kategorie Bester Hauptdarsteller. Meine geliebte Ady Adams ist wieder einmal die graue Maus, doch die Hauptperson im Leben des Dick Cheney, also könnte sie endlich mal einen Oscar bekommen. Die männlichen Nebenrollen, vor allem Steve Carrell als Donald Rumsfield, sind unglaublich genau gespielt. Bravo, ich halte die Daumen. (23.02.2019)

A frighteningly impressive display of the total privatization of state power under the false pretense of protecting all Americans, or the entire "free" world. It lacks the playfulness and audience appeal of McKay's previous opus The Big Short, yet this portrait of perhaps the most dangerous vice president in American history is sufficiently searing, satirical, and brutally cynical. Manipulation of public opinion, tens of thousands of dead civilians, and at least two failed states. Dick Cheney's legacy in modern history is truly irrevocable. Acting-wise, of course, it's a fine affair, but I feel that the ultra-flesh-and-blood and sometimes spasmodic performance from Bale slowly wears out. (25.03.2019)

On the one hand, I was annoyed at times by the way it was filmed, but on the other, I have to say that the narrative had an unbelievable momentum, which is something that cannot be said about many films with political themes. Another positive aspect is the cast. Christian Bale was completely unrecognizable several times, he fully immersed himself in the role of Dick Cheney with all his energy, capturing his personality perfectly. However, Sam Rockwell and Steve Carell provided him with very capable support, and Amy Adams also did not let herself be outdone. It is an interesting film that gave me a little insight into the American political system. (75%) (08.04.2021)