Dick (1999) / Comedy

MPAA Rated: PG-13 for sex-related humor, drug content and language
Running Time: 94 min.

Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams, Dan Hedaya, Will Ferrell, Teri Garr
Director: Andrew Fleming
Screenplay: Andre Fleming, Sheryl Longin
Review published February 4, 2000

DICK is the fictional tale of two fifteen year old girls on a class trip in Washington DC in 1973 become unwittingly witness to the real-life Watergate scandal. They become Nixon's official dog-walkers and end up taking down his presidency in this fictional "retelling" of the events of the times.

DICK could just as easily have been entitled ROMY AND MICHELLE AND ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, as it basically pits two blonde airheads and has them stumble through idiotic moments, which end up indirectly causing some of the more famous events of the Watergate scandal.

DICK should have been better than it is, being an intriguing premise for a movie, but writer-director Fleming's script aims a little too low for what should have been a wittier and smarter form of comedy. Dunst and Williams are fun to watch, even if they are occasionally difficult to tell apart, but the supporting players aren't as well-cast, and especially the terrible impressions of crack reporters, Woodward and Bernstein.

DICK is recommended strictly for Watergate junkies (many of them may actually love this movie,) but most others will be disappointed, especially people unfamiliar with the events.

Qwipster's rating:

©2004 Vince Leo