The effects are done well - only a few awkward computerized moments - and the acting is solid, serving as a necessary component for a film which hinges on its ability to sell something that people not only know hasn’t happened but hope doesn’t. Suspending disbelief is the highest hurdle, and Death of a President leaps it with ease. Unfortunately, it stumbles hard on the second hurdle of maintaining interest past the incendiary moments.
Oddly enough, one of the things that sinks this film is the surrounding hype. Most people that I talked to afterward agreed that they would have enjoyed it more if they hadn’t heard so much about it. That seems lucky for the one person who hasn’t heard of it, but for everyone else it would be wise to hold off on seeing it until it comes out on DVD. Better yet, wait until the first half hour shows up on YouTube and skip the second half altogether. Overall, the movie fails despite having a riveting first section - the second and third acts just can’t live up to expectations.
Release Date: October 27, 2006 (limited)
The Upside: Jaw-dropping subject matter and brilliant acting from unknown faces.
The Downside: A lackluster storyline beyond the hype.
On the Side: Death of a President includes some uncanny predictions about the future that we now know to be true, like North Korea’s declaration of nuclear testing, a declaration that was made after the film was finished.
Final Grade: C+
Cole Abaius is a critic for Film School Rejects.
Article comments
1 - Pat Evans
Boring, boring, boring -- the film, not your fine and accurate review.