Despite the title this is not a film about an assassination conspiracy that never hatched. Inspired by a true story, Sean Penn is Sam Bicke, a man whose American dream has bottomed out. His wife Marie (Naomi Watts) wants a divorce and his two kids and the family dog are indifferent to him. He’s no longer the man of the house and his wife is dating.

It’s 1974 and in Bicke’s mind the outside world seems to reward liars. They appear to be successful while Bicke languishes in the lowest levels of mediocrity. President Nixon is less than truthful, as is Sam’s boss at the office supply store where he is a salesman. To make his sales goals, it seems that the acceptable morality is to lie to prospective clients so they are motivated to buy the higher margin products right now. What’s best for the customer is unimportant.

Penn and Watts don’t have the in-depth relationship of their characters in "24 Grams." Marie’s concluded Bicke’s a loser and she makes a decision to move on. Bicke’s way past the deep funk status with his job and marriage, and when his SBA loan is denied for a joint venture with best friend Bonny (Don Cheadle), Sam decides that rather than the world changing him, he’s going to change it.

Bicke heads to the White House with a gun and tragic events unfold on that short air shuttle from Baltimore to the nation’s capital.

This movie is more personal that Penn’s recent efforts in "Mystic River" and "24 Grams." His performance here is equally fine, but because the subject matter makes you consider your inner fears more, this is arguably a better film. Living an unvarnished truthful life can blur the thin line between having the American dream and sliding over into a nightmarish existence.