Dick

An educational movie.

I really did not understand what Watergate was all about until I saw this movie. It explains everything from how peace conferences work to hobbies like paper paper-mâché to the missing 18 minutes of tape and lots more. To find the more you need to see the movie.

To satisfy those that think "people that like this movie" do not know who the president is; you have to admit it was a toss-up. And maybe you are right, I seem to have forgotten. Oh well, at least I know who one president was due to this movie. And I really like the German guy.

One of my favorites was the explanation of why the identity of Deep Throat will never be known.

Dick is about two ditsy D.C. area teens (Dunst & Williams), who wander off in the White House during a field trip and accidentally walk in on then president Nixon's top-secret Watergate meetings. To keep them quiet, he appoints the duo "Official Dog Walkers". They affectionately refer to him as 'Dick' in return. There are some totally roll-on-the-floor-laughing moments and plenty of drug references (e.g. when they make these cookies called "Hello Dollies" which contain a liberal dose of hash). The treats become instant White House favorites when a meeting of esteemed world leaders all get high and sing the song Hello Dolly! This movie is best viewed when you're with a friend, feeling slaphappy, or 14-years-old. Sure, Dick isn't exactly accurate, but it's funny as hell.

... for anyone old enough to have seen the Watergate hearings on television the first time around, or who still remembers people telling Bebe Rebozo jokes.

I have no idea how anyone under 35 would react, there were so few at the theatre.

Dave Foley's H.R. Haldeman haircut had me in stitches. You see his scalp; what an unexpected trip down memory lane.

Saul Rubinek was a hoot as Henry Kissinger, although he couldn't quite compare to Paul Sorvino, uncanny in that part in "Nixon".

Everyone's character seemed right on. Exaggerated of course, naturally. Even the two halves of Woodstein, a nice bit of caricature.

The two young girls -- Dunst and Williams -- are stellar. The girls' final action of the movie seemed out of character to me, but that struck the only false note I heard in this funny film.

This was a huge bomb when it came out in 1999--it was badly advertised and disappeared quickly. That's a shame because it's a very fun movie. If ever a film should be rediscovered, it's this one. Two very dumb teenage girls (beautifully played by Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams) in the early 70s, get separated from their tour of the White House, and accidentally meet Nixon. They start walking his dog Checkers and, inadvertently, discover all about Watergate without even knowing it! It sounds silly (and it is) but damned if it doesn't work! Dunst and Williams are totally believable (and very lovable) as the teenagers. Dan Hedaya does a perfect interpretation of Nixon. As for everybody else, I couldn't tell you. I'm no whiz on Watergate and who Nixon's staff was in the 70s. But the script is sharp, everyone has wonderful comic timing and the best bits were done by Will Ferrell and Bruce McCulloch who make Woodward and Bernstein out to be total idiots. Also an excellent selection of 70s songs which always complement the action. The final gag played on Nixon is uproarious! Well worth watching.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable comedy. And yes, this is a "what might have happened" type of movie, so please don't get your knickers in a twist as you watch how two teenage girls got involved in the Watergate scandal.

These girls are visiting the White House on a field trip and they end up meeting president Nixon because of taking a wrong turn in one of the corridors. They become official dog walkers and the president's "secret youth advisers". Without realizing it, these girls are deep into the Watergate scandal and they become a source for the two reporters who revealed it all.

I loved the way in which the script interleaves with actual events including the 18 1/2 minutes of blank tape - that was the best!!!

One of the other reviewers mentioned that it is best enjoyed if you are 35 or older and I am inclined to agree with that viewpoint. If you do not have an understanding of the Watergate scandal and it's impact on American politics, then you wouldn't enjoy this movie. To quote another reviewer, this is truly a "hidden gem". My actual rating for this is a 6.5.