Synopsis

In the winter of 1974, a time of great political unrest, Samuel J. Bicke (Penn) is a forty-four-year-old man who wants to believe in something – anything. But at every turn, his faith – in himself and in the world around him – is undermined. He is separated from his wife, Marie (Watts), who refuses to consider the reconciliation he wants so desperately. The only bright spot in Bicke’s life is his dream of opening a door-to-door tire repair service with his auto mechanic friend, Bonny (Cheadle), which requires a modest bank loan. When Bicke experiences a series of ill-fated events – his loan is rejected, and his ex-wife abandons him – he decides the only way to reclaim his insignificant life is to carry out a grand, historic gesture that will make his presence felt. Bicke would like to strike out at all the offenders, however, there is one villain who looms large. For Bicke, Richard Nixon, described by Bicke’s boss (Thompson) as the greatest salesman in history because he swindled the American people twice, becomes the embodiment of everything that is wrong with the world. A new Samuel Bicke, uncharacteristically resolute and resourceful, has an appointment with history.

DVD Release: April 26, 2005

Directed by: Niels Mueller
Starring: Sean Penn, Don Cheadle, Naomi Watts, Jack Thompson