Frost/Nixon Review
Posted by Chad Webb on 12.12.2008
"They won't have Nixon to kick around anymore"....or did they?
Frank Langella: Richard Nixon
Michael Sheen: David Frost
Toby Jones: Swifty Lazar
Sam Rockwell: James Reston Jr.
Kevin Bacon: Jackl Brennan
Matthew MacFadyen: John Birt
Oliver Platt: Bob Zelnick
Rebecca Hall: Caroline Cushing
Andy Milder: Frank Gannon
Kate Jennings Grant: Diane Sawyer
Patty McCormack: Pat Nixon
Directed By: Ron Howard
Written By: Peter Morgan
Release Date: December 5, 2008
Running Time: 122 minutes
Rated R for some language.
As the final day of interviewing commences, the mood is significantly different than the previous three. Nixon's arrival to the agreed location is not as congenial as before. Instead of exiting his limousine and greeting David Frost with a regular friendly smile and handshake, he walks right past him and inside to his quarters to prepare. The atmosphere is unusual because this is the grand finale, the Watergate segment. Success and failure for both rest on the outcome of this exchange. David Frost is seen glancing at his notepad, which includes typewritten questions, but is now cluttered with personal addendums for various reasons. When Nixon is ready, he approaches center stage, shakes Mr. Frost's hand because it's polite, and the two sit down and prepare to lock horns like two majestic rams facing off.
Ron Howard's new film, Frost/Nixon, is not just about a series of interviews. It is designed and displayed like a battle, or a fight between two mighty combatants. David Frost and his team of investigators are in one corner, and former President Richard Nixon lies in the other. The two teams rely on strict preparation, research, and strategy before each showdown. This could just as easily be called Frost vs. Nixon. Both men had something to gain and lose by accepting and/or moving forward with this event, and in the background, 400 million people would be waiting to watch and listen. Rarely is such a riveting two hours put to the screen. This is one of the very best films of the year.
After his resignation, Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) remained mostly silent for three years. In the summer of 1977, he would agree to one no holds barred interview, which would hopefully answer many questions about his time in office, and the Watergate scandal that ended his Presidency prematurely. Of all who offered Nixon a deal, it was British talk show host David Frost (Michael Sheen) who would receive the opportunity to confront Nixon for the truth the American people needed. Nixon had intentions of his own. If the interview went his way, he would be exonerated of all wrongdoing, and be embraced once again by his country. Each side has a team of researchers and assistants, including Jack Brennan (Kevin Bacon), James Reston Jr. (Sam Rockwell), John Birt (Matthew MacFadyen), and Bob Zelnick (Oliver Platt). As the cameras rolled, the strengths and weaknesses of both men would be revealed in a stunning clash of wits, but would the proper questions be asked and answered?
What is so amazing is how David Frost underestimated his opponent. His researchers certainly knew enough about Nixon, but Frost had no idea what was coming. I don't think he was alone in thinking the disgraced President would be a pushover. Perhaps the public assumed that because he was forced to resign, Nixon would be a depressed, resentful, former shell of a man. A line right from the movie says it best, "They call him Tricky Dick for a reason." How could he think that a man who rose to that level of power would be easy pickings? Despite it all, Nixon was a cunning, confident, and slippery individual, but was also highly intelligent. He would prove that when challenged. Being out of the Oval office changed nothing about his demeanor, nor the manner in which he presented himself or his life's actions.
Praise will be afforded and comments about guaranteed Oscar nominations will be declared when describing the two lead performances, but these two basically created the parts. Frost/Nixon is based on a play from Peter Morgan, who also penned the screenplay. Frank Langella has been with the stage version since it began, but translating a role from the stage to the screen is no easy feat. Richard Nixon has been depicted in many forms by many different thespians, but Langella has no trouble standing out from the pack. He takes a larger than life figure, and instills him with flavor and nuance. Langella, who was unjustly overlooked for his turn in Starting Out in the Evening will not suffer that same fate this time. His drunken rant on the phone should go down as one of the great monologues with Michael Douglas’ in Wall Street.
If Nixon is a fascinating character study, David Frost is equally as such. He was a showman, a flashy personality who loves the spotlight, and was not really invested in the hard work that was vital to nail these interviews. Michael Sheen has also been familiar with this part since the play started, and he is magnificent in every scene. He casually shrugs off the brief comments from his research team as he exits the room just as quickly as he entered it. Frost is quite likable and ambitious in his field, just not all that thorough until he eventually wakes up. Sheen is just a natural in these government/political related dramas, as he proved in The Queen.
The supporting cast is just spectacular. Sam Rockwell commands attention as James Reston Jr., a writer who completed three books about Nixon’s corruption prior to meeting him for these interview sessions. Rockwell is magnetic as he makes his agenda clear from the onset. His partner Oliver Platt is just as mesmerizing, though obviously Platt, as Bob Zelnick, is used mainly for comic relief. That’s ok since his dialogue is hilarious, and his timing pitch-perfect. Kevin Bacon is marvelous as Jack Brennan, the right hand man of Richard Nixon, always loyal. Look for other excellent efforts from Rebecca Hall, Matthew MacFadyen, and especially Toby Jones as Swifty Lazar.
No director has matured and gotten better like Ron Howard, who deserves more credit than he’s given. The man can do anything with a camera, from crafting a gripping adaptation of a play to taking The Da Vinci Code and turning it into a superb thriller. He has reinvented this play as a docudrama since many of the characters lend interviews within the story sections, describing their memories of what took place. Death of a President revealed how risky this is, but this cast is significantly superior, and what they are discussing is intriguing, not ridiculous. Salvatore Totino, Howard's customary cinematographer, captures the gorgeous sites of Nixon’s home, as well as the close-ups of every character's expressions and reactions as the situation progresses. And Hans Zimmer submits his normal rousing score as only he knows how.
As I watched the closing moments of Richard Nixon’s face, I was reminded of Philip Baker Hall’s outstanding performance as Nixon in Robert Altman’s Secret Honor, a fictional piece set with Nixon alone in his office, unleashing vicious tirades and announcing revelations by himself. I can’t help but wonder if that made-up film accidentally touched on any truth in how the former President acted in his late years. Langella’s amazing depiction extends the opportunity for anyone to discuss that final look on his face. Frost/Nixon is such a fabulous film that it doesn’t matter where you sit in the theater. I was forced to sit in the second row from the front, tilting my head way up. Surprisingly someone else had sat in front of me that I recognized. It was former Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani, laughing and absorbed in the picture. If we can love it in such uncomfortable positions, imagine how good it is from a suitable seat.
The 411: You might be asking yourself why I am giving so many high ratings in a row like this. Hollywood has felt the need to release all the quality film only in the month of December. Yes, that month is usually stacked, but generally the wealth is spread throughout the fall a bit more. No matter. I know a great film when I see one, and Frost/Nixon falls into that category with brilliant performances from everyone involved, adept direction from Ron Howard and his crew, and a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This opens wide soon. Don’t wait for DVD. Go see it as soon as possible.
