Directed by:
Ron HowardCinematography:
Salvatore TotinoComposer:
Hans ZimmerCast:
Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Sam Rockwell, Kevin Bacon, Matthew Macfadyen, Oliver Platt, Rebecca Hall, Toby Jones, Andy Milder, Kate Jennings Grant (more)VOD (4)
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Based on Peter Morgan's stage play, Ron Howard directs this dramatised account of the 1977 TV interviews between scandalised former President Richard Nixon and British talk-show host David Frost. Three years after the Watergate scandal that led to his demise, former president Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) sat down with Frost (Michael Sheen) to discuss, for the first and only time, the details of his term in the White House and his spectacular fall from grace. With the famously steely Nixon confident that he could come out tops in the encounter, and Frost's side questioning whether this was a step too far, media commentators prepared themselves for a PR exercise. But when the interviews got underway, observers were astonished when both men abandoned their usual stances, and chose to conduct an open, honest and frank exchange of views, covering all the areas of concern that had previously remained off-limits. In addition to covering the interviews themselves, the film also traces the difficulties that had to be overcome, and egos that had to massaged, before the historic events could finally take place. (Fabulous Films)
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Reviews (13)
Reflecting on one of the black shadows of American history while thoroughly dissecting diverse human characters, this two-hour conversation is propelled by Howard's reliably craftsman-like direction and the amazing acting performance by everyone (!) involved. Yet despite the exceptionalism of the supporting parts, it is ultimately the excellent Martin Sheen and his crackpot 1970s metrosexual who falls flat on his face, and especially (I’m not afraid to use the word) the brilliant Frank Langella, who do in fact carry the film. The way Langella inhabited the character of Richard Nixon - a tall but stooped man who has been whittled to the bone by two years of affairs, yet still has that dark sparkle in his eyes and the sharp tongue with which he can fend off opponents - reminds me in many ways of oil tycoon D. D. Lewis. The fact that Langella was politically overlooked in the Oscar race in favor of the homosexual Milk made me jump out of my chair. And finally, there’s Ron Howard - the religious conspiracy screaming is forgiven because the visual concept (excellent editing and cinematography) and overall swing bring the film to the absolute peak. Along with Stone’s W., this is one of the most interesting "political" films of recent times (maybe even years).
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With this Oscar contender I have the same problem as with all other films by Howard, technically it’s flawless, but the emotional effect on me is zero. Those two hours went by nicely, the Frost-Nixon interview was great, but I don’t feel like watching this film ever again. If I had to compare it with this year’s other big political drama (Milk), Frost/Nixon would win by a long shot because I felt that this one at least knows what it Is about, while Milk felt very empty.
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It's almost unbelievable, but Howard surprised and made a solid film. I wouldn't say that such a “ordinary”, purely conversational approach could captivate more than any of Howard's action scenes from previous works. Without sentiment, without fluff, only the most efficient and relatively gentle reconstruction of the well-known conversation between fantastically a played Nixon and an excellent Frost. The performances were phenomenal and that's what it was primarily about.
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In this film, everything works like a well-oiled Swiss watch of the highest quality. Both of the actors in the titular lead roles deliver excellent performances in a dialogue duel focusing on a detailed portrayal of their characters, shot and edited in the most appealing way possible. This makes Frost/Nixon completely unique and it’s a testimony to Ron Howard’s extraordinary ability to render difficult subject matter in a way that pleases even the most consumerist viewer. No matter how good they may be, films of this kind are usually protracted, intimate and gloomy, offering an intellectual exercise rather than emotion or attractive visuals. Together with Hans Zimmer’s music and the ferocious chemistry (but also humility and respect) between the two rivals played by Michael Sheen and Frank Langella, the visuals of Frost/Nixon make this a juicy, sexy film delicacy.
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Of the films with Peter Morgan's screenwriting signature that I've seen so far, Frost/Nixon is unfortunately one of the weaker ones. On the one hand, there are perfect performances by Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Sam Rockwell, and Kevin Bacon, and a neat documentary atmosphere. On the other hand, the characters are pretty much useless, including (unfortunately) Rebecca Hall, whose purpose I didn't fully understand, and some off-camera scenes are barely believable, for example, the late-night phone call. I guess the original stage play is more concentrated, and thus probably better.
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