BASED on a little-known footnote in modern America history - the attempted assassination of the 37th President of the United States by an emotionally disturbed salesman - Niels Mueller's feature debut also runs the risk of disappearing without a trace.

Despite an incendiary lead performance from Sean Penn, The Assassination Of Richard Nixon fails to serve up any food for thought.

In the winter of 1974, 44-year-old office supplies salesman Samuel J Bicke (Sean Penn) is on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Separated from his beautiful wife Marie (Naomi Watts), who refuses his attempts at reconciliation, and estranged from his successful businessman brother Julius (Michael Wincott), Bicke sees insincerity and deceit all around him.

In his work he is forced to bend the truth to secure sales, or face humiliation at the hands of his boss Jack Jones (Jack Thompson), who believes Richard Nixon is the greatest salesman in history for swindling the American public not once, but twice.

Samuel doesn't share Jack's appreciation for Nixon: he regards him as a villain, trying to woo the public with his slick television addresses and fancy rhetoric.

The only shard of hope in Samuel's life is a business proposal to open a door-to-door tyre repair service with his mechanic friend Bonny (Don Cheadle).

In order for the plan to succeed, Samuel needs to secure a modest bank loan - he applies and waits anxiously for news.

As the days pass, Samuel gradually loses his grasp on reality, self-control and his temper.

He is infuriated by the abusiveness of some of Bonny's customers, who mistreat him simply because he is black, and disgusted that Marie should have to wear short skirts as a bar waitress to support their three children.

When misfortune comes knocking at Samuel's door and the important loan application is refused, he looks for someone to blame and focuses on Nixon.

He heads for the airport, planning to hijack an aeroplane and fly it straight into The White House.

Considering the calibre of acting talent on show, The Assassination Of Richard Nixon is a disappointment.

Penn is mesmerising, his face racked with misery and rage as life deals Samuel another poor hand, but Watts and Cheadle remain too much on the periphery.

Mueller's gritty visual style reflects the gradual unravelling of the lead character but so much style cannot disguise a lack of genuine substance.

We want to understand Samuel but there is nothing here which lets us. Bicke, whose actions were eclipsed by the Watergate scandal, remains an enigma still.

Rating: 5/10