The Silent Man

Every history buff knows "Watergate" and the scandal that shook Washington and took down president "Nixon" and the term "Deep Throat" rings a bell with this issue. Well finally a film puts this person in showcase spotlight that being Mark Felt(good performance from Liam Neeson) the man who brought down the white house literally. The film is informative with the behind the scenes look at the interviews and investigations after the "Watergate" break ins and it's looked at first with doubt, cover up, skepticism, and not wanting to believe from not just the administration, but many agents who are close to Nixon want a cover up. However Mark Felt is the one agent who wants answers and the truth as he feels the need for honor and integrity. So this film is a well done investigative journey of the behind the scenes workings of the political game and it's under the table moves and ways of doing business, while it seeks truth and justice while bringing down those involved. Really if your a history buff this is a near perfect film to watch as it's informative.

If you did not live through this period of time, you probably rated this film poorly. If you lived through this part of American History, as I did, you would find this film inciteful, well written and better than the rating suggest.

This was actually well crafted, it lacked a better ending, but overall pleasing.

Most of the conflict was left out and made as passive information, which was annoying, big news was confusing as it was downplayed.

This film tells the story of the deputy chief of the FBI, who is not given the promotion that he thought he would get. He then goes on to expose the biggest political scandal of all time.

It is interesting that this film does not concentrate on external events at all, so you don't get to see who the seven people who got arrested are, or what evidence the agents have uncovered. It only deals with what Mark Felt have seen or heard, so most of the film occurs in the office. Because of this, viewers who are unfamiliar with the Watergate scandal will have to read about it in advance in order to fully understand the plot. It is a thrilling story, especially the fact that Mark Felt must have endured enormous pressure during that time, and all the subsequent years of his life.

Mark Felt (Liam Neeson) is the Associate Director of the FBI as the right-hand man of the legendary Hoover. He's considered the G-Men's G-Man. After Hoover's death, L. Patrick Gray is appointed the acting director over Felt despite his loyal 30 years career. His wife Audrey (Diane Lane) suggests resigning. They are still struggling with their estranged daughter Joan who had run away a year earlier. It's 1972 and there's a break-in at the Watergate. Felt is ordered to limit his investigation and he would become the infamous whistle blower Deep Throat.

This could work as a companion piece to All The President's Men. Oddly enough, both extreme sides of the political spectrum would consider Felt a villain. One would consider him a traitor. The other would consider him a jackbooted militaristic police. Neither would find this movie fair and balanced. On the other hand, some today would find this very fitting. Neeson is a perfect sincere self-righteous FBI agent. This is one version of the man and allows a bit of insight. That is more than enough.