Secret Honor was never going to be a hit, it was a monologue spoken by Richard Nixon, played by an actor in his film debut. These types of films don't get big, at least at first. Of course, the actor in question is Phillip Baker Hall, who Paul Thomas Anderson would later frequently use in his films, making him a household name. The film is often spoken about as a hidden gem, known by Altman fans as one of the greatest character studies probably ever filmed, containing a masterful performance. It's a bit of shame that this hasn't reached cult status as of yet, it really is a standout film.
By the mid-80's, the Nixon era was done, Carter had had his chance to turn the nation into a more progressive nation, only to be unsuccessful as Carter wouldn't win the presidency for the second term, losing to a conservatist. The shadow of Nixon still loomed over the nation, he had been talked about as a wicked and a deceitful figure, a complete crook with no redeeming qualities; a man who single handedly tore down a nation with his corrupting actions. If this all seems hyperbolic, go read some of Hunter S. Thompson's political articles of the time. Sure, Thompson was at the very opposite of Nixon in the political spectrum, but his comments do give pretty good insight on how the people on his side viewed the former president. Secret Honor is probably the first movie to try and understand the actions of a man that arguably ruined political discourse and widened the gap between the political poles.
Altman doesn't want to give a positive image of Nixon, nor does he want to give a completely negative image of him. He views him as somebody who can't control his feelings, his rants may start polite and considered but then swing into violent and hostile movements and phrasings. It's a study of a man who's torn himself apart, he feels blame and remorse for what he did but also complete hostility towards the people who took him down. Nixon isn't shown as an evil man, rather as a somewhat pathetic man with a chip on his shoulder, who's capable of evil things. Altman doesn't want to demonize him, he doesn't want to see him as a one-dimensional bad guy, Altman is trying to understand someone who, in the eyes of many, stood on the wrong side of history.
Obviously, the script is barebones, it's set in one room and, as said before, includes a single monologue as the narrative. The film is all about Philip Baker Hall, he gets to rant and rave, go over the top without hesitation and he nails it. Saying it's one of the most detailed and most complex performances of a historical figure seems almost like cheating though, there aren't many films about historical figures that dedicate themselves this much to their central figure. Hall also shows his comedic skills as well, as the film includes a lot of Altman's trademark nuanced, deadpan comedy, especially early on with Nixon struggling to get the tape recorder working, a detail that apparently was true about him, he really was bad with technology.
I suppose my only gripe with this film was it's visual look. Though I understand that making a single room look interesting for 90 minutes is a difficult job for any cinematographer, it's not impossible, just look at Fassbinder's The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant and how well Michael Ballhaus is able make the room lively and visually intriguing. Aesthetically the film has the appearance of a stage play and at times it does come off as a little cheap looking. I did however love the addition of surveillance cameras, but I wish they were used more as a visual idea. It's very fitting that the man who was involved in the Watergate scandal is being monitored and watched, but the idea never really gets going, visually at least. That idea of watching Nixon this closely and intimately is truly a fascinating idea, the voyeurism works as a great contrast to Nixon's actions.
Secret Honor was, I assume, a very important movie when it came out. It looks at one of the most hated leaders in the history of USA, but with the core idea of wanting to understand him. It has one of the most electrifying and detailed performances I think I have ever seen and it really did make me understand Nixon at least a little more. I would also argue that it's relevant even now, it's important to look at the powers that be, as evil as they may seem at times, with an analyzing eye, rather than out of pure judgement. Wanting to understand the actions of a human being is not trying to rationalize them or down-play their seriousness.
8/10.
By the mid-80's, the Nixon era was done, Carter had had his chance to turn the nation into a more progressive nation, only to be unsuccessful as Carter wouldn't win the presidency for the second term, losing to a conservatist. The shadow of Nixon still loomed over the nation, he had been talked about as a wicked and a deceitful figure, a complete crook with no redeeming qualities; a man who single handedly tore down a nation with his corrupting actions. If this all seems hyperbolic, go read some of Hunter S. Thompson's political articles of the time. Sure, Thompson was at the very opposite of Nixon in the political spectrum, but his comments do give pretty good insight on how the people on his side viewed the former president. Secret Honor is probably the first movie to try and understand the actions of a man that arguably ruined political discourse and widened the gap between the political poles.
Altman doesn't want to give a positive image of Nixon, nor does he want to give a completely negative image of him. He views him as somebody who can't control his feelings, his rants may start polite and considered but then swing into violent and hostile movements and phrasings. It's a study of a man who's torn himself apart, he feels blame and remorse for what he did but also complete hostility towards the people who took him down. Nixon isn't shown as an evil man, rather as a somewhat pathetic man with a chip on his shoulder, who's capable of evil things. Altman doesn't want to demonize him, he doesn't want to see him as a one-dimensional bad guy, Altman is trying to understand someone who, in the eyes of many, stood on the wrong side of history.
Obviously, the script is barebones, it's set in one room and, as said before, includes a single monologue as the narrative. The film is all about Philip Baker Hall, he gets to rant and rave, go over the top without hesitation and he nails it. Saying it's one of the most detailed and most complex performances of a historical figure seems almost like cheating though, there aren't many films about historical figures that dedicate themselves this much to their central figure. Hall also shows his comedic skills as well, as the film includes a lot of Altman's trademark nuanced, deadpan comedy, especially early on with Nixon struggling to get the tape recorder working, a detail that apparently was true about him, he really was bad with technology.
I suppose my only gripe with this film was it's visual look. Though I understand that making a single room look interesting for 90 minutes is a difficult job for any cinematographer, it's not impossible, just look at Fassbinder's The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant and how well Michael Ballhaus is able make the room lively and visually intriguing. Aesthetically the film has the appearance of a stage play and at times it does come off as a little cheap looking. I did however love the addition of surveillance cameras, but I wish they were used more as a visual idea. It's very fitting that the man who was involved in the Watergate scandal is being monitored and watched, but the idea never really gets going, visually at least. That idea of watching Nixon this closely and intimately is truly a fascinating idea, the voyeurism works as a great contrast to Nixon's actions.
Secret Honor was, I assume, a very important movie when it came out. It looks at one of the most hated leaders in the history of USA, but with the core idea of wanting to understand him. It has one of the most electrifying and detailed performances I think I have ever seen and it really did make me understand Nixon at least a little more. I would also argue that it's relevant even now, it's important to look at the powers that be, as evil as they may seem at times, with an analyzing eye, rather than out of pure judgement. Wanting to understand the actions of a human being is not trying to rationalize them or down-play their seriousness.
8/10.
Tell Your Friends