Frost/Nixon :: Wessex Scene Online

Frost/Nixon

23rd May 2009
Jack Harding

About this film

Title	Frost/Nixon
Director	Ron Howard
Release Date	23 January 2009
Certificate
Genres	Drama, History
Our Rating	4.5/5.0
Shown at Union Films Tuesday 17th March 2009 7:00pm

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More by Jack Harding

Dec 09 - Film: Apocalypse Now
Oct 09 - Public Enemies
May 09 - In The Loop
May 09 - Hunger
Mar 09 - Che: Part One

Frost Nixon Trailer

Ron Howard gets some brilliant performances from the leading men showcasing an interesting slice of recent history.

Skilfully adapted by Peter Morgan from his hit stage play, Frost/Nixon is an expertly balanced film that sees the playwright’s screen tailored script combine memorably with two unfamiliar yet exceptional actors to give us one of the best and most gripping Hollywood dramas in years.

Child actor-cum-director Ron Howard has an Oscar winning flair for historical U.S bio-dramas and Frost/Nixon could well be his masterpiece. Predictable? Perhaps, but without a doubt his most charismatic and intelligent picture to date that uses a truly historical event to comment on current affairs.

If you want a modern-day sense of both the scale and importance of Frost/Nixon, then imagine, say, Richard Hammond set loose on George Bush over a string of televised interviews and wringing out a confession over those WMD‘s. I know, I know- Hammond/Bush hasn’t quite got that same ring to it and granted, it hasn’t even happened...yet. Though something along these very lines did happen back in 1977 when happy-go-lucky TV presenter David (Breakfast with) Frost (Michael Sheen) sealed a series of face-to-face interviews with under fire ex Prez’ Richard Nixon (Frank Langella).

For three years after being forced from his presidential post over his involvement in the notorious Watergate scandals, Nixon remained silent. Officially pardoned yet publicly despised: unquestioned yet yearning for his chance to set the record “straight” and win “back” the hearts of the American people. So when a young and inexperienced Frost comes along with a wad of cash and a team of ‘crack investigators’, baying for the ex-premier’s blood, time and apology, Nixon sees what he thinks is an easy chance for a public-relations comeback. What follows is a compelling and thoroughly enjoyable battle of wits and words between a budding TV talent trying to further his career and a shamed politician trying to justify his.

Peppered with archival footage and recordings along with staged documentary-like interviews with the side characters, Frost/Nixon throws up a dramatic yet authentic looking insight into the events surrounding the now legendary interviews, showing us the mentality, morals and interlocking back stories of both Frost and Nixon in the months and weeks leading up to their final showdown. The result is a dynamic duel to the death: a sometimes heavy, sometimes light affair chock full of high-quality movie moments that move us, chill us to the bone; make us gasp, laugh and sometimes gape. Frost/Nixon is a political drama without the politics. It’s all about the day of the underdog, the serving of justice, human nature and the sense inevitable victory over the forces of old and evil. A certain close-up of a rattled and wounded Nixon, eyes welled and head tilted, is up there with some of the finest and most pungent pieces of Hollywood cinema I’ve seen in a while. It’s a telling climax: time seems to stand still, there is complete silence, no words or score are needed- just damn good restrained acting.

Reprising their roles from Morgan’s play, then, are the quite brilliant Michael Sheen and Frank Langella. The latter, without a doubt the film’s crowning glory. The 71 year old plays the part of Richard Nixon to shocking perfection. Each individual mannerism and tick that set the slouched and slack cheeked politician apart come to quite excellent pass in a performance of great presence and great effort. As the forlorn yet droll Nixon, Langella gives one of the great leading performances of modern movie history yet to say he outshines Sheen would be wrong. The unsung Brit sparkles as the beaming, coming-of-age underdog Frost in a breakthrough turn full of energy and optimism, charm and class. Expect more from him for holding your own against Langella and a star studied supporting cast comprised by the likes of Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt and the priceless Sam Rockwell can’t be easy. Sheen makes it look just that though. If you thought his portrayal of a certain Tony Blair was good then wait ‘till you see his Frost. Next up for him: Brian Clough in...wait for it...Peter (that man again) Morgan’s adaptation of Dave Pearce’s bestselling novel, The Damned Utd. Now there’s a film I want to see.

Anyway, back to Frost/Nixon- a film I have seen, a film I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to anyone and everyone. Ron Howard has crafted an inspired, thoroughly engaging political drama of rare value and class; time, place and intelligence. With The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, David Fincher could’ve canned Hollywood an instant dramatic classic. He didn’t. Button was tedious, pointless- a let down. Howard’s saved Hollywood’s ‘09 bacon. His Frost/Nixon is a significant and assured piece of American cinema- it’s a very well made film, a very well acted film and, dare I say, a modern great in the making. See it.

Final Verdict: Ron Howard’s taste for humour, charm and knack for getting the best out of his cast prevails in a way few could’ve foreseen. Langella and Sheen are dynamite. Where were the Oscars/BAFTAS?

Score: 90%