Product Details

• Actors: Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams, Dan Hedaya, Will Ferrell, Bruce McCulloch
• Directors: Andrew Fleming
• Format: AC-3, Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Full Screen, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Subtitles for the Hearing Impaired: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: December 14, 1999
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (130 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000021Y7E
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,646 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Dick" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

So who exactly was Deep Throat, that all-important source who helped Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein bust open the Watergate scandal? Well, according to this thoroughly funny, keenly smart comedy from director Andrew Fleming (The Craft), it was two sweetly daft teenage girls named Betsy and Arlene. Taking the history and figures from Watergate and running gleefully and sacrilegiously amok, Dick offers up a hilarious what-if scenario that takes the Nixon administration's downfall from grave tragedy to hilarious farce. When Betsy (Kirsten Dunst) and Arlene (Michelle Williams) run into a shady figure in the stairwell of Arlene's Watergate apartment building, little do they know they've stumbled upon G. Gordon Liddy (Harry Shearer) on the night of the Democratic National Headquarters break-in. Later, on a White House field trip, they wind up meeting with Nixon himself (Dan Hedaya), who, to ensure their silence, decides to make them official White House dog walkers and "secret youth advisors." Of course, Betsy and Arlene soon find out their idol has feet of clay, and ultimately decide to aid "radical muckraking journalists" (and queasy rivals) Woodward (Will Ferrell) and Bernstein (Bruce McCullough) in their investigation. Fleming and cowriter Sheryl Longin's enfolding of the Watergate scandal is extremely clever and inspired, from Arlene's 18-and-a-half-minute declaration of love on Nixon's tape recorder to the Hello Dolly cookies (laced with a certain herbal stimulant) that help bring about the U.S.-Soviet accord. And after all the angsty-serious portraits of Watergate, it's bliss to see the prime players sent up mercilessly; in addition to Shearer, the cast boasts Dave Foley (Erlichman), Jim Breuer (John Dean), Saul Rubinek (Kissinger), and Ana Gasteyer (Rosemary Woods), all in fine form. Hedaya's Nixon, dead-on but never parodic, is an Oscar-worthy comic turn, and Dunst and Williams invest their characters with affection and humor; the success of the film lies in the way these talented actresses make us laugh with Betsy and Arlene, never at them. Don't be put off by the teen sheen on this comedy--it's also for all of us who still remember Watergate even after 25 years, and still love dancing on the scandal's grave. --Mark Englehart

Product Description

This 90 minute comedy feature film is a DVD starring Kirst en Dunst, Michelle Williams, Dan Hedaya, and Teri Garr.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This has cult hit written all over it. February 14, 2000

By DaveP

Format:VHS Tape

I feel for those who had the unenviable job of marketing this movie. Who do you aim it at? Teens, most of whom know nothing about Nixon and Watergate, or adults, who will dismiss it as being another obnoxious, dumb teen comedy? Hence the box office failure. But what true hidden gem this film is! The writers have managed to put elements into this film that will be able to please the entire spectrum of viewers and knowledge of the Watergate scandal is not at all required to enjoy this hilarious film, but if you happen to have a grasp on it's history, your enjoyment will increase tenfold. The performances of everyone involved are top-notch with special notice going to Dan Hedaya (Nixon dead-on)and Michelle Williams (watch her shy expressions and mannerisms as she develops her crush on Nixon. Priceless!). Many, many scenes left me laughing hysterically (the beach dream scene, Haldeman's interrogation of the girls, Hello Dolly meets Breshnev, Bernstein hovering over Woodward at the Post). Add great music, costumes, sets and a fitting ending, and you've got a great movie experience. Don't miss it! (And for a treat watch this as a double bill with ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN!). If you get the DVD you're in for more of a treat with a hilarious blooper outtake reel (Nixon & Kissinger praying on the Oval Office floor ("Do you want a hug?"), a music-only track, a director & producer commentary track, making-of-featurette and a deleted scene. This is a must-have!

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The True Story of Watergate? May 15, 2001

By Thomas Magnum HALL OF FAMETOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Dick is a tremendously funny movie that spoofs the gravity of the Watergate situation. It combines fictional characters with the real people who were involved. Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams play two dim-witted 15 year olds, Betsy & Arlene, who unwittingly stumble across G. Gordon Liddy and the Watergate break-in (Arlene lives at the Watergate) after sneaking out to mail a letter to Bobby Sherman. On a class trip to the White House, they again see Liddy and pick up the infamous CREEP list. Through a series of hysterical coincidences, they meet Richard Nixon, become official dog walkers and secret youth advisors, give Nixon cookies laced with marijuana, find the secret tapes, contact Woodward & Bernstein, are revealed to be the actual Deep Throat and provide the key information that takes down Nixon. The movie has a great soundtrack of 70's songs and is filled with authentic clothing and props. The cast is first-rate with Ms. Dunst & Ms. Williams perfectly playing the ditsy girls. They have fun with the roles, acting silly and impetuous as real teenagers would. Dan Heyda plays Nixon with the perfect amount of heaviness and Will Ferrell & Bruce McCullough are an absolute scream as the bickering Woodward & Bernstein. The cast is full of funny people including Dave Foley, Teri Garr, Jim Bruer & Harry Shearer. Dick is a well written, clever, funny and completely entertaining film.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sex, Drugs, and Roller Skates; must be the White House December 2, 1999

By "addicus"

Format:DVD

Dick is a great comedy for adults. Coming off as a kid's movie in previews, I was refreshed and surprised at the caliber of the comedy. Every character is comical genius, all the way down to the stoner, draft-dodging brother. I could not stop laughing at the mad camp adventures of these two clueless DC socialites. I almost broke a rib!

I can't urge you enough to buy this movie. It is defiantly going to be a party house favorite.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars And Don't Forget the Walnuts July 15, 2001

By Reviewer

Format:DVD

A good movie that deals with a significant event in history can be educational as well as entertaining; film is a powerful medium that can put a fresh perspective on why the world today is as it is, and a movie that does all of that can be a satisfying and memorable experience. And "Dick," directed by Andrew Fleming, is a satisfying and memorable film that unequivocally does NOT do any of those things. Because it's too busy doing exactly what it was intended to do: Make you laugh. It's a hilarious comedy about the Nixon White House and the Watergate affair that finally answers the questions everyone has been asking since Nixon declared he wasn't a crook. Like what really happened at the Watergate that night and who alerted the authorities about the break-in? Who was "Deep throat," and why did he use that name? Where did Nixon come up with the idea to flash his famous "Victory" sign? And what was really on that eighteen-and-a-half minutes of tape that got erased?

Kirsten Dunst is Betsy Jobs, a normal, everyday teenager whose best friend, Arlene Lorenzo (Michelle Williams), just happens to live at the Watergate. One night at Arlene's place, the girls are frantically working to finish an essay for Arlene to enter in a "Win a date with Bobby Sherman" contest; this is important stuff-- Arlene just HAS to win, but her entry has to be in the mailbox by midnight. They manage to finish in time and rush out to the mailbox, but as they're hurrying down the stairs and into the parking garage, they inadvertently do and then see something that ultimately-- and history buffs take note!-- has a significant impact on the Nixon administration, and consequently on the course of history. But for Betsy and Arlene, it's only the beginning of their personal involvement with the leader of the free world.... And all this time later, who knew?

What makes this movie so good is that it's clever without having to force itself on you; the humor is subtle without being too deep, which makes it accessible to just about everyone, as well as enjoyable. You don't have to think too hard to get it, and it doesn't assault you with slapstick, silliness or the grossness that defines so many comedies involving teens today. There's even a parody of Woodward and Bernstein (Will Ferrell and Bruce McCulloch) that works well, and though it's not among the film's most memorable moments, it is funny.

What is memorable about this movie is Dunst and Williams, and especially Dan Hedaya, whose take on Richard Nixon is a dead-on riot. He's got the body language and the mannerisms down pat, and it's a hoot. And the girls are endearingly frivolous; they've got the looks, the attitude and the spirit of everything Teen, to which they bring a carefree depth to their perception of the world and their place in it, kind of like a younger version of Romy and Michele with the freshness of youth and their whole lives ahead of them.

This is a comedy that will appeal to a wide audience and transcend demographics because it's a multi-generational, nonpartisan, funny film. Teens will identify with Betsy and Arlene regardless of the context, and everyone else will be able to relate to the politics and the era on any number of levels. What's important is that it's presented in a light-hearted way, without malice and with the sole purpose of giving you a good time and a lot of laughs (which it certainly does). And it's good clean fun; parents can watch this one with the kids without any fear of embarrassment, and on the other hand, you can take your grandmother to see it, as well.

The supporting cast includes Teri Garr (Helen Lorenzo), Dave Foley (Bob Haldeman), Jim Breuer (John Dean), Ana Gasteyer (Rose Mary Woods), Harry Shearer (G. Gordon Liddy), Saul Rubinek (doing a right-on Henry Kissinger), G.D. Spradlin (Ben Bradlee) and Devon Gummersall (Larry). An uplifting movie with some bona fide laugh-out-loud moments, "Dick" gives a skewing to a serious event and time, but it does it with reverence, respect and good taste, and it emerges as something of a paean to eternal youth and the indomitability of the human spirit in the face of an ever-changing world. In the end, this is a film that will make your heart light and put a smile on your face. And that, without a doubt, is the magic of the movies. Read more ›