Nixon

In June 1972, White House Plumbers break into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex. The botched operation triggers a years-long political scandal and a mounting series of investigations and arrests. The incident marks the starting point of the crisis that dominates the film.

Nixon starts the audio-taping system, turning his presidency into a self-recorded chronicle. The tapes ignite a loop of recollections that frame the scandal. This device drives the film's structure and reveals the pressures behind key choices.

In a key flashback, Nixon meets with Haldeman and Ehrlichman while Dean departs, and Nixon records the so-called 'smoking gun' tape. The conversation exposes covert methods used to protect the White House and undermines trust within his inner circle. The scene crystallizes a turning point as exposure becomes inevitable.

The tapes reference the death of J. Edgar Hoover, using it as emotional undercurrent and a symbol of an era ending. It heightens the tension inside the White House as investigators close in. The moment widens the scope from personal to national implications.

Henry Kissinger is depicted as a pivotal, controversial figure whose loyalty is questioned by Nixon and his staff. The film probes whether Kissinger leaks information to protect his image or remains a trusted adviser. Nixon wrestles with how to manage their fraught relationship.

The film returns to Nixon's childhood, showing how the loss of two brothers to tuberculosis shaped his ambition and temperament. These memories provide a psychological context for his later decisions. The sequence links personal grief to a driven political persona.

During the crisis, Nixon's health—phlebitis and pneumonia—is depicted along with heavy use of medications. The portrayal suggests that physical strain and chemical aids affected judgment and stamina. These details contribute to the portrait of a leader under siege.

The film hints at Nixon's role in Cold War actions and the Bay of Pigs invasion, suggesting those actions helped set in motion forces that culminated in the Kennedy assassination and later Watergate. The implication ties past covert actions to the present turmoil. It frames Watergate as part of a longer arc of power and secrecy.

Facing overwhelming scandal, Nixon resigns as president and departs the White House lawn aboard a helicopter, signaling the end of his tenure. The moment is presented as a personal surrender and a historical hinge. The event closes the White House era with a stark visual of departure.

The film intercuts real footage of Nixon's state funeral in Yorba Linda, showing prominent ex-presidents and the sitting president in attendance. The sequence connects the film to the broader arc of American history. It emphasizes the lasting legacy and the public memorial of a controversial figure.

The closing montage shows living ex-presidents—Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush—and Bill Clinton in attendance during the funeral sequence, situating Nixon's life within the continuum of the American presidency. The film invites reflection on how Watergate reshaped leadership and public trust. It frames the crisis as a turning point in modern American politics.

The narrative implies that Nixon and his wife faced alcohol use and prescription medication challenges during the crisis. This personal dimension adds depth to the portrait of a leader under extraordinary pressure. It underscores how private vulnerabilities intersect with public responsibility.