Frost/Nixon
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Movie Reviews of Frost/Nixon
Movie Review: Looking For Nixon
Summary: 5 Stars
Adapted from the fairly successful stage play, FROST/NIXON is a fictionalized account of the interview process and sessions that took place between world media darling David Frost (Michael Sheen) and former President Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) in 1977. The film follows Frost as he seeks to get back into the big time (television in America) by gaining an exclusive set of interviews with Nixon to be broadcast on network television. Nixon has been living in relative seclusion since resigning from the Presidency, but he, too, longs to be in the limelight again. After meeting Frost, Nixon and his staff believe the man to be a journalistic lightweight and believe that the interviews will be Nixon's catalyst for once again entering into power. Even though he spent a lot of time working and had an amazing research staff, Nixon controls each of the first three days of shooting. However, (in a completely fictionalized scene) the night before the final interview Frost receives a telephone call from a drunken Nixon. The call reveals a deeply personal side of Nixon, but also encourages Frost to be more aggressive during the final day of taping in which he ends up taunting Nixon into a confession-of-sorts about Watergate and the cover-up.
I have to admit that I was a bit leery about seeing FROST/NIXON. I had heard wonderful things about the acting, but that Nixon was unfairly portrayed as an evil mastermind. The overall tone of the film is definitely NOT sympathetic to Richard Nixon. Watching the film I got the distinct impression that director Ron Howard and writer Peter Morgan wanted the audience to have the point of view of Frost's research team, James Reston, Jr. (Sam Rockwell) and Bob Zelnick (Oliver Platt).
Despite the overall tone, the film actually does present a decent portrayal of Nixon. Nixon was ambitious and sometimes almost ruthless. However, he was also a decent American who overcame some incredible odds. He loved his country and his family and was a master orator and debater. Frank Langella, reprising the role from Broadway, gives one of the most humanizing examples of Nixon ever seen in a Hollywood film. In most movies, Nixon's foibles and are exaggerated and he is presented as a caricature. Langella doesn't do this and offers viewers a picture of Nixon that most people would rather reject, that of a human being.
I really enjoyed FROST/NIXON. It is a drama and there are moments that are drawn out of effect. Also, the script is a tad too tidy, as though it was put together using a by-the-numbers formula for dramatic movies. Also, even though the movie does offer the closest thing to the "real" Nixon that has been seen on screen, the overall negative tone of the film towards Nixon will probably turn some people off. Like W., FROST/NIXON people on the far left of the political spectrum will probably find the movie too light on Nixon, while those on the far right will find it too harsh and negative. The truth is that Langella's Nixon actually falls somewhere inbetween and is closer to the real Richard Nixon than either side wants people to believe.
Recommended for modern history buffs and those who enjoy good, conversational dramas.
Movie Review: Nearly perfect filmmaking
Summary: 5 Stars
Ron Howard's "Apollo 13", "Cinderella Man", or perhaps most notably his surreal tour de force starring Russell Crowe about legendary mathematician/schizophrenic John Nash A Beautiful Mind all put together, probably do not live up to this film concerning the legendary televised joke-turned-war between Britsh talkshow host David Frost and President "Tricky-Dick" Milhouse Nixon.
An unlikely foe for one of the most underhanded, vicious, cunning and darkly charismatic criminals to ever govern the United States, previous to this titanic engagement Frost had been engaged in decidedly lighthearted media activities: foreshadowing the barrage of "reality based TV" we are bombarded with these days, Frost made the greater bulk of his living hosting a proto-reality talkshow entitled "Great Escapes, If You Know What I Mean?" and checkbook journalism.
That was until 1977, when Richard Nixon decided to emerge from deserved obscurity and offer Frost the opportunity to interview him on air (for 600,000 bucks).
Frank Langella does the best Nixon that I have ever seen and I was a bit skeptical of this upon hearing of it's impending release in 2006--Anthony Hopkins had done quite a job of his own in Oliver Stone's Nixon - The Election Year Edition but his acting ability was a bit hampered by some of the offensive historical fiction Stone felt the need to inject.
The psychotic deer in the headlights, stiff, sweaty, paternally authoritarian and ruthlessly manipulative nature of the man is reflected in every scene Langella gobbles. Michael Sheen holds his own as an essentially nice guy who is clearly out of his league, as was intended, but who came out swinging. The dialogue between Frost and Nixon--particularly in the ghostly, surreal scene in which Nixon calls him from his hotel to let him know that "only one of us can share the limelight" while taping the conversation (old habits die hard, I guess) is one of the most intense scenes I've witnessed in contemporary cinema.
The first half hour of the movie is an exercise in sheer defeat, with Frost being battered about by Nixon's almost preternatural sense of verbal retaliation and excuse making for Watergate. As the movie proceeds we see the essentially tragic and bitter nature of the man, as even his loyal aid Jack Brennan (in a good performance by Kevin Bacon) cannot get him to keep his mouth shut. That famous line: "If the President does it, it's not illegal!" booms from his mouth like the crack of doom. Clocking in at an intense 122 minutes, not one moment turns away from the hateful psyche of this man who was so brilliant and could have done so much but instead went the way of Moloch. Absolutely recommended.
Movie Review: Incisive Look Into Frost/Nixon Interviews
Summary: 5 Stars
Ron Howard's Frost/Nixon focuses on the period after Richard Nixon resigned from the Presidency, and leading up to the Frost Nixon interview. The movie starts off with the world's and Frost's fascination with Nixon's resignation and the lengths he went to secure Nixon as an interview subject. Frost bet not only his career on the interviews but his life as well. He put all his assets on the line, and borrowed from all his friends to pay the $600,000 Nixon (and his agents) asked for.
Part of Frosts preparation for the interviews was to hire researchers for background on Nixon and to formulate the questions asked during the interviews. The researchers, played by Oliver Platt and Sam Rockwell add not only some comic relief, but provide a behind the scenes look at the pressure they were under and exerted on Frost to, not just interview Nixon but to push him and ask the hard questions, to at least try for some accountability from Nixon, which of course resulted in Nixon blurting out that if the President does something it makes it legal.
From Nixon's point of view we're shown his isolation, even when he's surrounded by aides, family, friends and supporters. We're also given a window into Nixon's insecurities with a drunken phone call to Frost, and Nixon rails on about the injustices and perceived slights he suffered throughout his life at the hands of others. Nixon also tried to get the psychological edge on Frost by asking off-kilter questions right before taping would begin, such as asking Frost if he had fornicated the night before, which was a famously well known anecdote at the time.
When I first saw the previews of Frost/Nixon I cringed when I saw Frank Langella as Nixon because it looked like a caricature. But that was before seeing the movie. Langella merges so successfully with Nixon that you cease to think of him doing a character but of personifying Nixon.
Ron Howard isn't a flashy director, he uses special effects only when necessary to the plot, and he isn't given to using the usual directors devices to add false emotion to a scene, instead he trusts the story, he trusts that the drama of the situations to carry the viewer interest, to provide them with an emotionally satisfying experience. Howard is one of the best directors working today, he consistently gets solid performances from his actors. The subject matter he chooses to direct is diverse and compelling. All of which is a far cry from his directorial debut of Eat My Dust.
The bonus features include, deleted scenes, a making of featurette, there's a short documentary look at the actual interviews as compared to the dramatized interviews, and there's a featurette that's bit of a propaganda for the Nixon library. I usually don't like the commentaries feature on movies, I usually find the insights not all that insightful but Ron Howard's commentary on this is interesting and adds to the viewing of the movie.
Movie Review: A Spectacular Performance!
Summary: 5 Stars
"Frost/Nixon" is a riveting motion picture about the historic series of television interviews conducted by David Frost (Michael Sheen) with former President Richard M. Nixon (Frank Langella). Nixon has resigned the Presidency but never apologized to the American people for his part in the Watergate cover-up. Every major news organization has attempted to gain access to Nixon for an interview and been turned down. Frost, not a newsman but an entertainment figure, succeeds only because he held out the carrot of a huge paycheck.
Based on the stage play by Peter Morgan, the film takes us behind the scenes as Frost puts everything on the line both financially and professionally. Now that he has bought Nixon's cooperation, he must interest a network, treat Nixon and his handlers with kid gloves, mediate among researchers eager to crucify him, and find a way to seduce him into making damaging admissions on primetime TV.
Langella is simply extraordinary as Nixon. Though he doesn't resemble Nixon physically, he captures his essence with the gruff voice, stooped posture, and social awkwardness. His Nixon can turn on the charm, hijack an interview, lose his temper, or express indignation as required. This is a superb performance and Langella was rightfully nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his work in this film.
Sheen plays Frost as a man well over his head but never given to pessimism or discouraged by those on his staff who feel the interviews are allowing Nixon to ramble on and avoid tough questions. His Frost is in awe of Nixon yet finds a way to go for the kill.
Suspense is created as the interviews progress and Nixon checkmates Frost's attempts to elicit serious answers. A lifetime in politics has made Nixon an expert in how to deflect a question, provide half answers, and smile his way out of a seemingly tough spot. It gets to a point at which Frost's confidence wavers and he fears the interviews will be his show biz swan song.
The film's stage origins are evident, but director Ron Howard does open up the proceedings, especially in a scene contrasting the arrivals of Frost and Nixon at the TV studio. Frost arrives to polite applause from celebrity-watchers. Frost acknowledges the small crowd politely, just as Nixon in a limousine draped with American and Presidential flags and accompanied by his entourage, appears. Visually, the scene suggests David taking on Goliath. The expression on Frost's face indicates he knows his reputation is at stake and he will be facing a formidable adversary.
The movie co-stars Kevin Bacon, Sam Rockwell, Oliver Platt, and former 1950's child star Patty McCormack.
Bonus features include deleted scenes, a making-of feature, commentary with Ron Howard, and a look at the actual people and places depicted in the movie.
Movie Review: This Film Is NOT a Crook
Summary: 5 Stars
As a rule, I do not like the stellar Oliver Platt being underused, and worse, used for comic relief.
Having got that off my barrel-chest, this is indeed a film not to be ignored, not to be missed.
The story of the David Frost interviews of President Richard Nixon need no dead-horse-beating here; this film is the subject and it is a home run! Howard's finest work by far, and he's had some sagging box office lately.
Frank Langella has always buried himself in roles. This film, as a study of Pres. Nixon's character and presence, could not have been played better by anyone on earth. When Oliver Stone picked Sir Anthony Hopkins to play Nixon, everyone laughed. It was a poor move. Dan Hedaya ("Dick") was absolutely hilarious as a caricature. This film needed badly to avoid that "Nixon Trap".
Langella is powerful, charismatic and as fearsome as Nixon could be in private--all the things not generally known about Nixon. One almost feels for Nixon thanks to Langella's terrific portrayal--and one almost falls for him too. Without nonsense, without strain, Langella IS Nixon here. It is this that makes the film, it is this detail that spreads like a canopy over the film and cannot be missed.
The late-night call Nixon makes to Michael Sheen's Frost, while decent poetic license, is in fact the type of thing Nixon might have done anyway--it is in any event true to Nixon's character (and character flaws). It is a blast to see Nixon willing to come clean in the end, and his on-camera meltdown. Langella did it better than Nixon. In fact, Langella is a better Nixon than Nixon. Perhaps with this film people will lose this occasional obsession about Nixon's character.
Michael Sheen is hard working, talented and my nerves are grated by him. I do not know what the hell it is or why, but I cannot say I'm such a great fan of his. He gets every note perfectly, and is passable as Frost, but he just rakes at my ears with his voice and frankly pisses me off with his eyes and smile. Sheen has an acting machine in him that seems to regurgitate the same character time and again. This film didn't miss the chance to nail Sheen: early on, he's on the phone with Nixon who regally slams the receiver down in Frost's ear. Funny, there's an IDENTICAL scene in "The Queen", with PM Blair getting an identical slam from Her Majesty. Sheen even rolls his eyes and purses his lips in exactly the same way. Did Ron Howard ask him to do that?
Annoying, too, was the mockumentary crap inserted at odd intervals. What is this, "60 Minutes"-on-Ron-Howard's-actors?!
Get this movie, but don't miss the chance to get the true interviews. You could teach your children with this stuff--especially how not to fall for the charisma of slick, crooked liars.