The Assassination of Richard Nixon

What surprises us most is the picture's topicality, and not just because terrorists crashed a plane into the Pentagon three years ago.

Penn's lead performance is the main attraction here, and it's a fine piece of work--far superior to his overly showy Oscar-winning role last year.

This riveting film qualifies as the anti-crowd-pleaser -- but Penn makes it unthinkable to turn away.

Penn's Bicke is often so pitiable it's hard not to want to look away – but what else to expect from perhaps our most compulsively watchable contemporary actor?

The director and co-writer, Niels Mueller, has also done his work well, but the film feels insubstantial at 95 minutes, even though -- or maybe because -- it bristles with borrowed ideas and unavoidable associations.

A slight movie and a major downer, is an acting showcase for Sean Penn. That's good, but not enough.

It grinds on and on without mercy. You're in the cross hairs. There is no escape. Where is that Secret Service when you need it?