Movie Review - “Frost/Nixon”
*** STARS
MOVIE SYNOPSIS:
Frost/Nixon is a historical drama based upon the play of the same name by Peter Morgan, writer of The Queen, which dramatises the 1977 televised Frost/Nixon interviews. The film version is directed by Ron Howard and produced by Brian Grazer of Imagine Entertainment. The film reunites its original two stars from the London and Broadway productions of the play, Frank Langella as former President of the United States Richard Nixon and Michael Sheen as British TV broadcaster David Frost.
FILM REVIEW:
I have a few issues with Ron Howard as a Director. In the past I have referred to his style as hack-ish at times (”The Da Vinci Code”, “Far and Away”, “The Grinch”). I am very excited to say that his latest film is a riveting triumph of cinema and it deserves all the accolades it will receive this upcoming movie award season. Besides the obvious educational and historical significance this film is an enthralling piece of work that had me glued to my seat.
Frank Langella as Nixon is the obvious stand out in a film filled with enormously talented actors. His gripping portrayal of Nixon isn’t an over the top caricature or an impression; it is an emotionally charged power house performance that is filled with intensity. I wanted to loathe Nixon more than this film would let me. In the end Langella gave one of the most human depictions of Richard Nixon to ever be portrayed on film or stage and I actually felt pitty for him.
This intricately staged film has a fast pace that I didn’t expect from a bio-pic/historical drama. The attention to detail in the set design and screenplay only highlight the strong performances by Kevin Bacon and Sam Rockwell. The comedic elements in this film also caught me off guard. I found myself laughing more than expected which helped cut through some of the more tense scenes like a knife. Ron Howard timed this film like clock work with every piece fitting in like perfection.
After watching “Frost/Nixon” I wanted to learn more about these interviews and see the actual footage, I felt hungry for more information. Ron Howard has made a film that will help educate people who have forgotten or don’t know much about this horrible point in our countries political system. Just as the original interviews between these two men were important, so is the message of this film.
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