‘Vice’ Reactions: Christian Bale, Amy Adams & An “Exceptional” Movie Point To A Surefire Oscar Contender

The table has largely been set for the 2018 Academy Awards race. Sure, a few last minute stragglers hit the recent AFI Film Festival—“Mary Queen of Scots,” “On The Basis Of Sex” and “Bird Box”—but outside of some praise for the actors and their potential Oscar shots, none of them seemed to have changed the landscape. But one long-awaited film has. Adam McKay’s “Vice,” his long-gestating look at former Vice President Dick Cheney, often seen as the brains behind the George W. Bush Presidential Administration, has finally seen the light of day and praise out of Los Angeles where is screened last night is high.

Starring Christian Bale as Dick Cheney—he put on at least 40 lbs for the role, and radically altered his appearance, shaving his eyebrows and everything, the movie received tons of praise on Twitter yesterday (reviews are embargoed by now), particularly for the lead and his terrific (as always) performance. “Vice” also stars Amy Adams as his wife as Lynne Cheney, Sam Rockwell as President George W. Bush, Steve Carell as Donald Rumsfeld, Tyler Perry as Colin Powell, LisaGay Hamilton as Condoleezza Rice. Check out the new photos below because the similarities and the makeup, hair, and costume work designed o transform these actors into their counterpart likenesses is uncanny. The movie also stars Alison Pill, Jesse Plemons, Shea Wigham, Lily Rabe, Justin Kirk, Eddie Marsan, Bill Pullman, Bill Camp and more,

Here’s the official synopsis:

VICE explores the story of Dick Cheney (Christian Bale), a bureaucratic Washington insider, who quietly wielded immense power as vice president to George W. Bush, reshaping the country and the globe in ways that we still feel today. Directed and written by Adam McKay, VICE Stars Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell, Tyler Perry, Alison Pill, and Jesse Plemons.

“Vice” is due in theaters December 25 via Annapurna Pictures. It may have cost an ungodly $60 million to make—talk about overspending for a drama—and Annapurna’s Megan Ellison has reportedly been stripped of some of her powers. Making matters worse, Annapurna as a company is apparently in trouble (“The Sisters Brothers” was already a big expensive flop in the fall), but the company seems to have a surefire Oscar contender on their hands. Should it land Best Picture, Best Director and cast nominations—which looks like it’ll happen—maybe that expensive price tag won’t matter. Check out the reactions below including The Playlist’s Gregory Ellwood.

Vice is excellent filmmaking. Wish it found a way to explain Cheney’s motivations more but it’s main focus is the damage he has done. Bale is fantastic. Carrell is great. It’s likely Adams vs King for Supporting Actress. #oscars

— Gregory Ellwood – The Playlist ???? (@TheGregoryE) November 18, 2018

VICE is wild and absolutely scathing. Christan Bale is magnetic.

— Katie Walsh (@katiewalshstx) November 18, 2018

#Vice is a bold and horrifying film about the abuse of power and its far-reaching and long-lasting consequences. Incredible performances (Bale, Adams, Carell, Rockwell are all fantastic), and McKay’s whip-smart, inventive storytelling keeps you invested & entertained pic.twitter.com/yNupwxLVpv

— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) November 18, 2018

It’s not just the weight and the makeup. Christian Bale transforms into Dick Cheney in VICE. There is not a trace of him in the voice, movement, even the eyes. pic.twitter.com/GmM6PQkcSH

— Jenelle Riley (@jenelleriley) November 18, 2018

VICE: WOW! Bold, daring, very ambitious! Bravura writing & directing by Adam McKay! Gripping & riveting dark comedy! Tour-de-force performances by #ChristianBale & #AmyAdams! Bale will WIN the Oscar for Best Actor! #ViceMovie @AnnapurnaPics pic.twitter.com/nn2qYuiTJ5

— Scott Mantz (@MovieMantz) November 18, 2018

VICE: A scathing, sobering cry for America to wake the fuck up. (Pretty great comedy too. But then, it’s Adam McKay so you knew that.)

— Glenn Whipp (@GlennWhipp) November 18, 2018

Kris Tapley: “Vice” is exceptional. It’s also sobering as hell. Adam McKay is in full-blown character study territory, and Christian Bale could win an Oscar — if we’re ready to go there with this chapter.

Happy to report that #Vice is as entertaining, illuminating, and infuriating as Adam McKay’s last movie, The Big Short. The sharp screenplay and the astonishing Christian Bale are locks for nominations, and I’d predict makeup, Amy Adams for supporting, and Best Picture too. pic.twitter.com/UENzQ1XcV1

— Dave Karger (@davekarger) November 18, 2018

Christian Bale does deliver an extraordinary performance in Vice that will score Oscar points. Amy Adams does too; she admires Lynne Cheney as a powerful pioneer woman. Tyler Perry met with Colin Powell, who made him read his book.

— Anne Thompson (@akstanwyck) November 18, 2018