Frost/Nixon Movie Review

Frost/Nixon (2008)

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Written by:  Peter Morgan (screenplay), Peter Morgan (play)
Directed by: Ron Howard
Starring:  Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Kevin Bacon, Sam Rockwell, Oliver Platt, Rebecca Hall, Toby Jones
Rated: R
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Plot
A dramatic retelling of the post-Watergate television interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former president Richard Nixon.

Verdict
It's a battle of words, and it is fascinating. Both men have something to gain in this interview, but to accomplish it they must defeat the other. This captures the feel of the time and derives a surprising amount of tension out of an interview. While Frost is sure the truth will come out, Nixon's intimidation attempts and mind games cause doubt in Frost's mind.
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Review
This starts by putting Nixon's resignation into context. He was the first and only President to resign, choosing that over impeachment.

Talk show host David Frost watches the resignation speech and decides he wants an interview, confident it will be a success and lift his career above Australian talk shows. Nixon's agent sees this as a cash grab and a way to do damage control to Nixon's image. It will be a puff piece, it's not like a down and out talk show host is going to come at the former President hard.

Michael Sheen plays David Frost.

Frost wanted to do it right, hiring a research team and coming out of the gate swinging. In the first of four contracted interviews he breaches contract to ask a question with implications to Watergate. Nixon is momentarily stunned, but then launches into an explanation about why he didn't burn the tapes. Frost was hoping to knock Nixon into the ropes on the first question, but got a parry that sent him spinning. Nixon is a master interviewer. He walks all over Frost, and even the crew filming are impressed by Nixon.

Frank Langella plays Richard Nixon.

A movie about an interview sounds boring, but this isn't. Both men are staking their reputations on this interview, attempting an improvement and repair. Everyone has something to win and lose and that's what makes this intense.
The context of this event, especially in light of today's current political climate makes this all the more relevant.
Frost is sure the truth will come out, how can it not? Nixon is masterful, a true politician able to spin long monologue about very little. It comes down to the final interview. Will Frost flop or succeed?

There is a lot of talk, but the dialog is good and the actors are great. Langella does a great job of becoming Nixon, but while I don't know Frost, Sheen always felt right for the part. Sam Rockwell plays a member of Frost's research team. I'll always watch a movie with Rockwell in it, though he really doesn't do much in this one.

Ron Howard directs, and while he usually delivers a solid film, I thought this was really good directing.