A juggernaut just stepped into the awards race. The first trailer has finally dropped for Vice, Adam McKays upcoming biopic about Dick Cheney (played by an unrecognizable, uncanny Christian Bale). Its a searing first look, with Bale turning in a grizzled, domineering performance as the former vice president. Surprisingly, though, its Sam Rockwell who really steals the show here, delivering an eerily perfect impression of George W. Bush—nailing his Texan accent and consummate “well, huh” expression.
Bush opens the trailer, chomping on a chicken leg and asking Cheney plainly if hed like to be his vice president. Cheney, a businessman with greater aspirations, isnt terribly interested in the symbolic gig. “However,” he begins, “if we came to a different understanding, I can handle the more mundane jobs.” He just wants to handle, oh, a few things here and there—like bureaucracy, the military, energy, and foreign policy. Small fries, all.
In the vein of McKays Oscar-winning based-on-recent-events film The Big Short, Vice tells the story of the Cheneys rise to power through sweeping shots, smart dialogue (penned by McKay), and movie magic. And makeup. So much makeup. Bale disappears into the role with the help of some extra weight, prosthetics, and seamless wig work. Nearly all traces of the Oscar-winning actors profile disappear when he slips into veep mode, save for the brief moment in the trailer where hes shown playing young Cheney in a brown wig.
Amy Adams and her floofy blonde coif also get some shine as Lynne Cheney, the former Second Lady. “When you have power, people will always try to take it from you, always,” shes seen warning her husband. Steve Carell also pops up into the trailer as former secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld, squinting and asking Cheney if the years have made him more ruthless. If you have to ask . . .
Vice has yet to debut on the festival circuit, so critics havent been able to weigh in on whether itll be a major contender this awards season (though there are rumors it will debut at this Novembers AFI Fest). Its late entry and splashy, topical subject matter could mean that this film will be top of mind for Academy voters, giving McKay a fresh edge over competitors. Plus, the trailer is festooned with transformative performances from stars who either already have Oscars, or have previous nominations to their name. Its one of the most Academy-friendly projects of the season—and it doesnt hurt that the film is based on a true story. Bradley Cooper and his awards strategists are probably coming up with a plan of attack as we speak. Vice will hit theaters on Christmas Day.
Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Yohana DestaYohana Desta is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com.
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