`DEATH OF A PRESIDENT' FATAL TO SPIRIT OF AMERICA.Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic An innocent man dies in the faux documentary ``Death of a President,'' but that man isn't George W. Bush -- at least, not in the eyes of filmmaker Gabriel Range. Range's movie is notable more for its superficial gimmick -- and the publicity campaign trying to cash in on the ``controversy'' surrounding it -- than it is for its ideas, which are few and familiar, the kinds of facile talking points that could only rile politicians and talk-radio callers. The movie has succeeded in provoking the simple-minded. Two theater chains have banned it; Hillary Clinton said the idea of it made her sick, even though she hasn't seen it. It doesn't earn such outrage. In fact, Range, clearly aware that using the imagined assassination Assassination See also Murder. assassins Fanatical Moslem sect that smoked hashish and murdered Crusaders (11th—12th centuries). [Islamic Hist.: Brewer Note-Book, 52] Brutus conspirator and assassin of Julius Caesar. [Br. of Bush is a dicey idea, bends over backward to turn the president into a martyr. And in light of what happens after Bush is killed, even Bush-haters would realize that there are worse scenarios than No. 43 peacefully finishing out his term. To the film's credit, the technical wizardry wiz·ard·ry n. pl. wiz·ard·ries 1. The art, skill, or practice of a wizard; sorcery. 2. a. A power or effect that appears magical by its capacity to transform: involved in making ``Death'' look like a 2008 TV movie -- something you might run across on the History Channel -- is impressive. Bush comes to Chicago to glad-hand and speak at a dinner for like-minded conservatives. Outside, protestors (Range uses actual archival footage) carry incendiary INCENDIARY, crim. law. One who maliciously and willfully sets another person's house on fire; one guilty of the crime of arson. 2. This offence is punished by the statute laws of the different states according to their several provisions. placards and call for his head. Afterward, someone with a high-powered rifle obliges. At this point, Range gets to the heart of what his film is about 7/8 how the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. used the horror of 9/11 to pursue an agenda that had nothing to do with the World Trade Center attacks. Here, after Bush dies, President Cheney tries to connect the assassination with terrorism so he can broaden the Patriot Act Patriot Act: see USA PATRIOT Act. and go after Syria. Racial profiling The consideration of race, ethnicity, or national origin by an officer of the law in deciding when and how to intervene in an enforcement capacity. Police officers often profile certain types of individuals who are more likely to perpetrate crimes. goes through the roof, and an innocent man is condemned 7/8 but who cares? The American Way The American way of life is an expression that refers to the "life style" of people living in the United States of America. It is an example of a behavioral modality, developed from the 17th century until today. is preserved. This isn't a particularly provocative scenario and, in Range's hands, it doesn't even manage to be interesting. For a movie that examines racial profiling, ``Death of a President'' traffics in an alarming number of stereotypes of its own. When a mentally unstable veteran emerges late in the game, we realize without a doubt that Range isn't as interested in advancing discussion as he is crafting a trivial pursuit Trivial Pursuit is a board game where progress is determined by a player's ability to answer general knowledge, and popular culture questions. The game was made in 1979 by Scott Abbott, a sports editor for the Canadian Press, and Chris Haney, of Welland, Ontario, a photo , a movie destined des·tine tr.v. des·tined, des·tin·ing, des·tines 1. To determine beforehand; preordain: a foolish scheme destined to fail; a film destined to become a classic. 2. to be forgotten minutes after the manufactured controversy fades away. Glenn Whipp, (818) 713-3672. glenn.whipp@dailynews.com DEATH OF A PRESIDENT - Two stars (R: brief violent images.) Director: Gabriel Range. Running time: 1 hr. 33 min. Playing: In selected theaters. In a nutshell: Gimmicky faux-doc about the assassination of W never rises above the superficial. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: An emergency room doctor updates the news media after the shooting of President George W. Bush in the faux documentary ``The Death of a President.'' |
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