Frost/Nixon (2008)
Frost/Nixon (2008) 8/10
What happens when an unstoppable object meets an immovable force? You get cinematic greatness. Frost/Nixon is a film that, distilled to its essence is about 2 men talking. Yet the film is a gripping, intense drama, a sort of intellectual boxing that at the end leaves you feeling exhausted yet exhilarated.
And the centerpiece, the core of the film is Frank Langella who is mesmerizing in a pitch perfect portrayal of Richard Nixon. As a subject matter, Nixon has that mystique, the white knight who has fallen from grace. When Nixon won re-election in 1972, he won by one of the biggest landslides ever, but in 2 years he would have the infamy of being the only president to be forced to resign. Langella gives a compelling rendition of a man of such complexity and nuance and he even manages to make the Nixon somewhat sympathetic. But there is a hubris, a strong sense of pride that is Nixon’s ultimate flaw and Langella gives a masterly portrayal. Director Ron Howard has assembled a talented, top notch cast and he uses close-ups to give the actors, especially Langella the chance to shine. The film itself should be compulsory viewing for acting class because Langella’s performance is exquisite. It is the expression, the downtrodden look of defeat, or is it regret that haunts you long after the film ends. Even though my personal favorite this year to win Best Actor is Mickey Rourke for his devastating performance in The Wrestler, Langella is a very, very close second simply for his masterful tour de force.
And acting as his foil is the excellent Michael Sheen whom i remember well from THE QUEEN. This time, although his role as David Frost gets more screen time it is clear that Langella is the star. But rather than be overshadowed by Langella, the two bounce off each other very well and Sheen’s flamboyant and playboy persona is the perfect foil to Langella’s slick and polished Nixon. The final result feels like an intellectual joust, the equivalent of watching Rocky but with far greater dramatic intensity. This is an intellectual battle between two very keen minds, recreating a pivotal moment of American history and it is a credit to the taut writing and fine direction that such a talky film proves engaging even though most people already know the conclusion. As the film progresses, the audience roots for Michel Sheen’s David Frost to tease out the final note of contrition from a disgraced president. And you almost feel as if you are there, in 1977 watching history unfold. For both Frost and Nixon, they have something to gain and everything to lose. Frost stakes his career and personal wealth on this and for Nixon it is his last shot at redemption. Watching the unstoppable force meet the immovable force proves to be one of the most enjoyable hours of movie watching i have spent.
Frost/Nixon is one of the best films of the year and a personal favourite. A splendid cast headlined by two spellbinding performances makes this a must watch. This is an intelligent and thoughtful film. The great tragedy is that this is the sort of film that audiences avoid. But if you give it a chance, you may be pleasantly surprised.
“The stage play-turned-big screen Oscar contender has all the right moves, zipping along from scene to scene with rare pep until building to a furious climax. And remember, this isn’t a movie about alien invasions or pirate ghosts. It’s a movie about two guys talking. No special effects, no Ben Stiller cameos. “- Mike Ward
“The result is involving, engrossing cinema – more thrilling, in fact, than Howard’s “The Da Vinci Code” – filmmaking of a type rarely seen anymore and sorely missed.”- Kenneth Turan
