What Is Dick About?
The premise of Dick in 325 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the early 1970s, Washington D.C. hums with the restless optimism of a nation on the brink of change, its marble monuments casting long shadows over a city where politics and everyday life collide in surprising ways. Amidst this backdrop, two teenage girls navigate the swirl of culture and ambition: Betsy Jobs, a bright‑spirited youngster from an affluent Georgetown family, and Arlene Lorenzo, a quick‑witted dreamer living with her widowed mother in the iconic Watergate building. Their friendship is a blend of playful rivalry and earnest support, each bringing a different flavor of teenage curiosity to the streets, schools, and secret corners of the capital.
Both girls share a penchant for adventure, slipping through the corridors of power with a mix of naiveté and daring that makes ordinary moments feel like covert missions. A school‑organized White House tour becomes the catalyst for their accidental brush with the nation’s inner workings, thrusting them into a political arena far beyond the scope of their teenage concerns. Their wide‑eyed wonder and sharp humor turn the ceremony into an unexpected plunge into a world of intrigue, where every whispered conversation carries weight.
When the pair catch the attention of the highest office, President Nixon offers them an ostensibly simple job—walking the presidential dog. This whimsical appointment, however, places them at the heart of a bustling, conspiratorial atmosphere, allowing the girls to wander the corridors of power with a unique, if unintended, perspective. Their youthful presence introduces a light‑hearted contrast to the solemnity of the West Wing, setting the stage for a satire that blends historical reverence with irreverent comedy.
The film captures a tone that is simultaneously breezy and sharp, using the girls’ innocence to highlight the absurdities of a turbulent political era. As they stride across the White House lawns, they become unwitting witnesses to the undercurrents shaping a nation, embodying a fresh, comedic lens on a moment in history that remains both iconic and ripe for reinterpretation.
What Happens in Dick?
The complete story of Dick, from the first scene to the last, in 644 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Betsy Jobs (Kirsten Dunst) and Arlene Lorenzo (Michelle Williams) are two lovable yet somewhat scatterbrained teenage girls navigating life in Washington D.C. during the early 1970s. Betsy hails from a privileged family in the upscale Georgetown neighborhood, while Arlene resides with her widowed mother in an apartment situated in the infamous Watergate building.
One fateful evening, seeking to mail a letter to enter a contest for a date with teen heartthrob Bobby Sherman, the girls sneak out of Arlene’s home just as the Watergate break-in unfolds. They inadvertently manage to enter and exit through the parking garage after taping the latch of a door, leading to the discovery of the break-in. In their haste, they spot G. Gordon Liddy (played by Harry Shearer) and mistakenly believe he is engaged in a jewel heist, causing them to panic and flee. Their actions prompt a startled security guard to notify the police, leading to the swift arrest of the actual burglars.
The next day, during a school tour of the White House, the duo encounters Liddy once more. Though they remain unaware of who he is, he recognizes them and quickly grows suspicious. He points them out to H. R. Haldeman, who begins to interrogate them, uncovering their obliviousness to the President’s narratives. Their conversation is amusingly interrupted first by a call from Haldeman’s wife, then by President Nixon himself, portrayed by Dan Hedaya, who sidles off with Haldeman to express his frustrations about the corrupt bugging operation.
Amazed to be in Nixon’s presence, the girls are more enamored with his dog, which sparks an idea in the President’s mind. To ensure their silence regarding the events they’ve unwittingly witnessed, he appoints them as his official dog walkers, granting them access to the White House repeatedly. During their visits, Betsy and Arlene unknowingly influence significant political events—including the Vietnam peace negotiations and the Nixon-Brezhnev summit—by bringing along cookies that are infused with marijuana. Toward the film’s end, Betsy’s brother, Larry (Devon Gummersall), discovers the cookies’ “secret ingredient” and deduces that their consumption could explain Nixon’s spiraling paranoia.
Meanwhile, Arlene, who initially idolized Bobby Sherman, finds herself smitten with Nixon. After recording an 18½-minute message of adoration into a tape recorder, she inadvertently plays back a clip revealing his grim and crude language, leading her to a harsh reality check about his character. Confronting Nixon directly—> “You kicked Checkers, you’re prejudiced, and you have a potty mouth!”— they face his ire as he threatens and dismisses them: “You don’t mess with the big boys!”
Reevaluating their position, the girls decide to spill all to the “radical muckraking bastards” at the Washington Post, namely Bob Woodward (Will Ferrell) and Carl Bernstein (Bruce McCulloch). They inadvertently become the identities behind the notorious Deep Throat (a humorous twist given that Betsy’s brother had just been caught watching a film of the same name). However, Woodward and Bernstein are initially incredulous, portraying them as childish and incompetent. Matters are complicated when their sole piece of physical evidence, a list of names connected to the Committee to Re-Elect the President, gets eaten by Betsy’s dog.
As Nixon’s aides recognize the girls as a genuine threat, they resort to various tactics, including surveillance and infiltration, to glean what the girls know. The situation escalates to the point where they break into Betsy’s home and pose as Arlene’s mother’s boyfriend. Pushed to their limits after being pursued by the Watergate “plumbers,” the girls take matters into their own hands. They sneak into Haldeman’s residence and manage to steal a crucial tape recording, providing a transcription to Woodward and Bernstein while keeping the tape as a “souvenir.” This pivotal action ultimately leads to the downfall of Nixon’s political career. Following his resignation, as his helicopter hovers over Betsy’s house, the duo proudly displays a sign that reads, “You suck, Dick,” further infuriating the now-former president.
Dick Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Introduction to Betsy and Arlene” to “Nixon’s Resignation”. 15 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Introduction to Betsy and Arlene
Betsy Jobs and Arlene Lorenzo are introduced as two teenage girls navigating life in Washington D.C. during the early 1970s. Betsy comes from a wealthy family in Georgetown, while Arlene lives modestly with her widowed mother in the infamous Watergate building.
When:Early 1970s Where:Washington D.C.
- 2
Sneaking Out
One evening, the girls decide to sneak out of Arlene's home to mail a letter for a contest to win a date with Bobby Sherman. Unbeknownst to them, this coincides with the Watergate break-in, setting off a chain of unexpected events.
When:Night Where:Watergate building
- 3
Inadvertent Witnesses
As they attempt to leave, Betsy and Arlene unintentionally stumble upon the break-in. They mistakenly confront G. Gordon Liddy, thinking he is involved in a jewel heist, which causes them to panic and flee.
When:Night Where:Watergate parking garage
- 4
Police Notification
In their rush to escape, the girls catch the attention of a nearby security guard who calls the police. This leads to the swift arrest of the actual burglars, dramatically altering the course of events without their knowledge.
When:Night Where:Watergate complex
- 5
School Tour Encounter
The next day, while on a school tour of the White House, Betsy and Arlene have another encounter with G. Gordon Liddy. Although they don't recognize him, he is suspicious of the girls and points them out to H. R. Haldeman.
When:Day Where:White House
- 6
Meeting President Nixon
During their awkward interaction, President Nixon himself makes an appearance. He expresses his frustrations about the scandal, while Betsy and Arlene are more fascinated with his dog, inadvertently gaining access to the White House.
When:Day Where:White House
- 7
Official Dog Walkers
To keep the girls silent about what they witnessed, Nixon appoints them as his official dog walkers. This position allows Betsy and Arlene to visit the White House frequently, influencing significant political events without even realizing it.
When:Day Where:White House
- 8
Cookies and Influence
During their visits as dog walkers, the girls unknowingly sway political outcomes during venues like the Vietnam negotiations. They bring cookies infused with marijuana, leading to unexpected consequences, including Nixon's growing paranoia.
When:Varies Where:White House
- 9
Arlene's Adoration
Arlene develops a crush on Nixon, leading her to record a message of admiration for him. However, her infatuation is shattered when she hears a clip of Nixon's crude language, prompting a confrontation with him.
When:Day Where:White House
- 10
Confrontation with Nixon
When Arlene confronts Nixon directly about his behavior, he reacts angrily, dismissing the girls with threats. This moment demonstrates the power dynamics they find themselves caught in as teenagers amidst political scandal.
When:Day Where:White House
Show the other 5 events of Dick Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Going to the Washington Post
Reevaluating their position, Betsy and Arlene decide to share their story with the Washington Post. They initially appear naive but inadvertently become linked to the infamous Deep Throat, drawing more attention to their claims.
When:Day Where:Washington Post
- 12
Missing Evidence
Things complicate when their crucial evidence—a list of names associated with the scandal—is consumed by Betsy's dog. This unfortunate event puts their credibility and the investigation in jeopardy, making their claims seem less believable.
When:Day Where:Betsy's home
- 13
Nixon’s Aides Take Action
As the aides of Nixon realize the threat posed by the girls, they resort to various underhanded tactics to try and silence them. This includes surveillance and even breaking into Betsy's home to discover what they know.
When:Night Where:Betsy's home
- 14
Stealing the Tape
Determined to gather evidence, Betsy and Arlene sneak into Haldeman’s residence. They successfully steal an important tape recording, which they later provide to the Washington Post, significantly impacting the Nixon scandal.
When:Night Where:Haldeman's residence
- 15
Nixon’s Resignation
Following the release of the tape and mounting evidence against him, Nixon resigns from the presidency. The girls mark this momentous occasion by displaying a sign from Betsy's house, humorously defying the former president one last time.
When:Day Where:Betsy's house
Who Are the Main Characters in Dick?
3 characters, among them Betsy Jobs (Kirsten Dunst), Arlene Lorenzo (Michelle Williams) and President Nixon (Dan Hedaya): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Betsy Jobs (Kirsten Dunst)
Played by Kirsten Dunst
Betsy is portrayed as a somewhat scatterbrained yet lovable character who hails from a privileged background. Her adventurous spirit and naivety lead her into the heart of political intrigue, where her obliviousness serves as both a strength and a flaw. Throughout the film, she evolves from a typical teenager into an unexpected player in a major scandal.
- 👩🎓 Teenager
- 🎉 Adventurous
- 💁♀️ Naive
-
Arlene Lorenzo (Michelle Williams)
Played by Michelle Williams
Arlene complements Betsy with her own brand of scatterbrained charm and loyalty. Living in the Watergate building gives her a unique perspective on the unfolding events, yet her infatuation with Bobby Sherman showcases her teenage innocence. As the storyline progresses, she undergoes a realization about authority, culminating in a confrontational moment with Nixon.
- 👩🎓 Teenager
- 💖 Romantic
- 🐶 Devoted
-
President Nixon (Dan Hedaya)
Played by Dan Hedaya
Nixon is depicted as a frustrated, paranoid leader trying to mask his insecurities amidst a scandal. His interactions with Betsy and Arlene reveal his character’s intense demeanor, yet he becomes unintentionally comical in their presence. The film portrays him not just as a historical figure but as a man caught in the web of his own making.
- 👔 Politician
- 📉 Paranoid
- 🤔 Complex
Where and When Is Dick Set?
Dick is set in Washington D.C., Georgetown and Watergate building (Early 1970s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Early 1970s
The early 1970s were a tumultuous time for America, marked by political scandal and social upheaval. Notable events included the Vietnam War's ongoing developments and the Watergate scandal that would ultimately lead to President Nixon's resignation. This era set the stage for the youthful naivety of Betsy and Arlene as they unknowingly become entwined in significant historical events.
Where
Washington D.C., Georgetown, Watergate building
Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States, known for its monumental buildings, museums, and political history. The upscale Georgetown neighborhood contrasts with the infamous Watergate building, which became pivotal in American political scandal history. Both locations serve as backdrops for the teenage escapades of Betsy and Arlene, weaving their personal stories into the larger events of the era.
- 🏛️ Capital
- 🏙️ Neighborhood
- 🏢 Historic site
What Are the Themes of Dick?
2 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Friendship and Political Satire.
-
01
Friendship
The bond between Betsy and Arlene is central to the narrative, showcasing how their friendship empowers them to navigate adventures and challenges. Their mutual support and comedic antics highlight the impact of companionship during tumultuous times. Ultimately, their shared experiences strengthen their relationship amid the chaos they inadvertently create.
-
02
Political Satire
Dick cleverly intertwines teenage innocence with serious political events, using comedy to critique the political landscape of the time. The film illustrates the absurdity of the Watergate scandal by presenting it through the eyes of oblivious teens. This humorous perspective invites viewers to reevaluate significant historical moments while entertaining with the girls' misguided escapades.
What Kind of Film Is Dick?
Light in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A cheeky and absurd historical farce that feels like a high-energy teen romp through the corridors of power, offering a playful and irreverent take on a serious national scandal.
- whimsical
- silly
- playful
- energetic
- satirical
- feel-good
- political satire
- teenage rebellion
- unlikely heroes
- historical farce
Content notes: political corruption.
Quiz
How well do you remember Dick? Test yourself on the story.
Where to Watch Dick
Stream it on Pluto TV, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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