The inclusion of the highly irritating comedic actor Jon Lovitz was a bad move entirely. However, this is also part of the film's problem: there's too much going on and it attempts to move into comedy territory that doesn't suit the seriousness of the characters' downfalls. He drops names into the mix and moves from person to person in quick succession, showing the extent and depth of the corruption that political figures, so often, finds themselves in. He starts with a bang and never really let's up. Speaking of which, Snider's writing is fast-paced and snappy. It's a brave move and Hickenlooper and screenwriter Norman Snider deserve credit for their bravery. Bush (of course) and Senator John McCain are also implicated. He doesn't change anything Abramoff and Michael Scanlon are put under the microscope and political big-hitters like President George W. Hickenlooper has a good go and doesn't shy away from naming names involved in the scandal. It can't be easy covering true events and trying to be as honest about them as you possibly can, without losing sight of a few things. It's him that keeps this film anchored as it attempts to cover more ground than it can handle. It's one of the better roles that he's had over recent years and he makes the most of it. It's also a role that allows him to give a few of the cocksure Spacey rants that we have become accustomed to. This is a role where he is given a bit of leeway to show a couple of them Al Pacino, Ronald Regan and Bill Clinton among others. If you've ever seen Kevin Spacey get interviewed then you'll know that he has an ability to do impressions. Abramoff is highly ambitious and lacks morals and that's exactly what leads to his conviction on charges of conspiracy and mail fraud and the downfall of many politicians who were happy to do business with him. He also sets up an illegal chain of offshore casinos that involve gangsters and eventual murder. Along with partner Michael Scanlon (Barry Pepper), he decides to lobby a casino for a Native American tribe, stealing millions from them in the process.

He also happens to be a lobbyist who wields a lot of influence with politicians and businessmen. Jack Abramoff (Kevin Spacey) is a self proclaimed family man, Republican and devout Jew. His abilities in delving into true murky situations are also reflected in this account of a 2006 Washington D.C.

He is probably better known for 'Hearts Of Darkness: A Filmmakers Apocalypse' where he brilliantly documented the trouble that Francis Ford Coppola had in making 'Apocalypse Now'. Throughout his career, director George Hickenlooper would switch from documentaries to feature films.

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