Every generation seems to have its “can the white man still believe in America?” picture. The film where a disgruntled white everyman gets the shaft by the machine, is disenfranchised by the system, despite his giving it the good old fashioned American try. Like Taxi Driver and Falling Down, Assassination is a showcase for its star (here, Sean Penn), along with a heavy handed message about America being a land of opportunity for only the few, and, well, not much else.
Penn is angry and hurt. He wants to be supremely honest, forthcoming, and idealistic in a savvy society that views his naive behavior as mildly retarded