Frost/Nixon
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Movie Reviews of Frost/Nixon
Movie Review: "Spellbinding"
Summary: 5 Stars
I have always loved American politics as far back as 1973. I remember that summer vividly because that was the year that my favorite soap opera, "Another World", was being pre-empted two or three times a week in order to allow NBC the ability to cover the Watergate hearings. As I grew older I became captivated by the Watergate scandal and with Richard Nixon's resignation as President of the United Sates. "Frost/Nixon" dramatizes Nixon's attempt to salvage his public image after his fall from public office by appearing in a series of syndicated TV interviews with David Frost, a washed-up interviewer whose success on American television eluded him. The film also details Frost's attempt to make a name for himself as a celebrated journalist by interviewing the most disgraced President in American history. When one watches "Frost/Nixon" the battle between Nixon and Frost during the interviews is evident as they try to outwit the other with only one man coming out on top. The performances, especially by Frank Langella, are superb. He actually gives an even greater performance than Anthony Hopkins who played Nixon in an autobiography back in the late '90's. The direction by Ron Howard is cunning and stylish and most critics agree this is his best work. The two hours flew by as I watched this filmed as the movie is fast-paced and involving. Among the many bonus features are commentary by Ron Howard, a featurette called "The Making of "Frost/Nixon", "The Real Interview" compares the actual real interview to the reenacted one, and there is much more. "Frost/Nixon" was nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Beat Picture and Best Actor for Langella.Movie Review: Near Perfect Filmmaking
Summary: 5 Stars
After the Watergate scandal and his subsequent resignation, Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) is living in relative seclusion back in California. But, following a lucrative interview offer from British talk show host David Frost (Michael Sheen), Nixon sees an opportunity not only to make some easy money but to return himself to the public spotlight. Meanwhile Frost, best known for chatting with celebrity lightweights, views this as a chance to gain fame and respectability as a journalist in America.
Frost is encouraged by his research aides to go hard after Nixon. But instead Frost throws softballs for the first three interview segments and is easily overwhelmed by his more experienced adversary. Then, on the night before the final interview, Frost receives a strange phone call from Nixon, who basically goes off on a drunken rant. Frost, smelling blood, decides to take a more aggressive approach and on the final day Nixon ends up making humiliating admissions about his role in the Watergate cover-up, perhaps cementing his tarnished legacy in American politics.
How much you enjoy this movie will probably depend on how much interest you have in the subject matter. But there is no doubt that this is one of those rare motion pictures that reaches near perfection in terms of filmmaking. The acting, especially by Langella, is superb and the sense of dramatic timing is impeccable. The small details were also well handled, such as film's spot on depiction of the 70's and Nixon's bizarre fascination with Frost's Italian leather shoes. This is probably the best directorial outing in Ron Howard's career. Highly recommended.
Movie Review: One the Best Films of Last Year!
Summary: 5 Stars
Once you see Frank Langella as the late disgraced President Richard Nixon, you'll wonder why he lost the Oscar when it was so deserving. Maybe it's because he performed the role on stage with Michael Sheen who deserved an nomination for playing Sir David Frost. Sheen was recently honored with an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire). Maybe it's a consolation prize but he also played Frost on stage with Langella as Nixon. They brought the stage to film with thanks to seventies icon actor turned director Ron Howard. This film is under-stated and highly ignored at the Box Office. Despite it's top notch cast, the movie appeared in the shadows of other films but no less brilliant. There are times when you even might shed a tear for Nixon with Langella's performance and that's magic. Frank Langella humanizes Nixon on film into a full-dimensional character rather than caricature. Michael Sheen OBE equally does the same for Sir David Frost who interviewed the likes of the Bee Gees and other seventy icons. As the interviewer, Frost has the difficult job of bringing tough questions against Nixon. I loved Kevin Bacon as Nixon's right-hand man and Patty McCormack as his wife but I thought that they should have used her more. Bacon is a surprisingly ally in Nixon's corner who is very protective of the man despite his faults. Still it's Frost and Nixon in a tough interview, the preparations, and funding since nobody in Hollywood wanted to touch the Nixon interview. I only saw the Wrestler but I have to admit this film made me root for Frank Langella on Oscar night. Regardless, he is one of America's finest stage actors.Movie Review: Why Langella did not get the Oscar is beyond me.
Summary: 5 Stars
If you have seen the actual interviews, the actual tapes of the real Frost/Nixon encounters, and then you watch the movie (or if you were even luckier, as was my case to also see the Broadway play), you will realize the true genius in Frank Langella's interpretation.
He does not "impersonate" Nixon.
Instead, he "becomes" the former President; not imitating the whirlpool of emotions that spun out of those sessions but rather, living them, suffering them, feeling them as if it had been Langella himself the one going through the ordeal.
Other portrayers of Nixon (like Anthony Hopkins) come to mind and, when compared to Mr. Langella, fail miserably.
This was the role of a lifeetime and Langella embraced it with gusto, with passion, with professionalism, and gave it the best of what his craft had to offer.
In contrast, Michael Sheen overdoes his interpretation of Frost, although he does have his powerful and sometimes even moving moments.
Kevin Bacon remains a consistently good and reliable actor, although his part was too short and failed to give the film more of the benefit of his talent.
Movie Review: Exceptional Thinking Person's Film
Summary: 5 Stars
First of all, I want to say in my own opinion Frank Langella and not Sean Penn should have won the Best Actor Oscar for Frost/Nixon. He is simply amazing as Richard Nixon and most of all he makes one of history's most odious characters human. He is very appealing and while he's not someone you emphasize with you pity what he did to himself, all thanks to Langella's acting.
I have to also say that the rest of the movie is equally well acted and well directed. Given its historical perspective we can't say this is a suspense film but we do find ourselves at times wondering what will happen next. There are times of great tension and I for one liked the one on one interview style with the non-lead actors as it gives a great deal of perspective to what is not only taking place on screen, but what is happening in the characters minds.
This is a great film and well worth your time!