Just came back from a WGA screening of Ron Howard’s film, “Frost/Nixon.” It’s a hëll of an experience for me because I remember watching the interviews when they were first broadcast, so it’s another case of history that I’ve lived through becoming the stuff of drama.
Playwright Peter Morgan has done a superb job of translating his play into film, which is not always an easy undertaking. Dramatizing the historic interviews between David Frost and Richard Nixon–which were not without drama to begin with–Howard keeps the story moving along, building tension as Frost/Nixon comes across, not as a chess match, but four rounds of boxing. Each of them has their corner men, urging them to stay steady, to jab, to keep dodging, to stay in control. Particularly standout among the supporting players is the chameleonic Sam Rockwell as James Reston, pursuing a goal of taking down Nixon as if he’s the voice of the entire country.
Then there’s Michael Sheen as Frost, looking increasingly terrified as he realizes that what began as a nifty and high-profile idea has morphed into a potentially career ending endeavor that could leave him financially busted to boot, and eventually developing the spine of steel needed to go toe to toe with Nixon.
But it’s Frank Langella’s Nixon that’s the standout. If he isn’t up for an Oscar for best actor, there is simply no justice. With a minimal amount of make-up, and making no attempt to do a Richard Nixon impression, he nevertheless embodies the late president as if he were channeling his spirit. When it got down to their final confrontation over Watergate, I was literally on the edge of my seat.
“Frost/Nixon” is an absolute must-see.
PAD
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I saw the play in New York last summer and really enjoyed it so I’m very much looking forward to the movie. I was a little young when it happened so was a bit of a history lesson. My 18 year old son came with me to it and he liked it a lot too.
It’s interesting how Ron Howard has matured as a Director. His early films were always enjoyable but often mawkish and emotionally shallow,
His more recent movies have a much deeper emotional resonance.
Now who will star in Couric/Palin? :-]
I’m hioping to get out to see it over the holidays. Langella does the creepy/evil/scary patrician from hëll like no one else, so watching him as Nixon will be treat.
“Now who will star in Couric/Palin? :-]”
If it were in the next few years, Tina Fey (DUH!!!) and Joan Allen.
Langella is a rather underrrated actor and this should go a long way to changing that. I could tell from the long ad they ran during election night coverage that he was going to nail it. Then again, having played Dracula, it’s a short leap to another dark prince.
Langella is underrated? By whom? He’s been a favorite of mine for about as long as I’ve recognize his name.
Gotta see this film, clearly. It was on my “probably want to see” list anyway, but now with PAD’s recommendation it’s jumped higher up. Thanks!
Whoops. That should be “recognized” his name, not “recognize.”
Eye yam ann edjukayter, relly.
I saw the play in St. Louis in October and liked it quite a lot. I have seen previews for the movie and it looks very good. I think Nixon comes off rather well in the play. It is not a hatchet job. There is one particular scene where one of Frost’s researchers, James Reston, a man who has written several unflattering books about Nixon and feels he should have gone to jail, is anxious to actually finally meet him and tell him off. When he does meet him, Nixon extends his hand, knowing of course who this guy is and how he feels, and Reston meekly replies, “Mr. President.”
I thought it was very significant that when adversaries are actually face to face, they are much less likely to be confrontational, which of course participants on internet bulletin boards never have to worry about.
Frank Langella is a great actor, and (assuming PAD is on target) should get a Best Actor nomination. But unless the Academy is brain-dead, his chances of winning died the instant these words were spoken…
“I believe that whatever doesn’t kill you simply makes you…stranger.”
Since we’re on the subject of movies, PAD, what are your thoughts on the new Star Trek trailer? I’m cautiously optimistic, especially after seeing Urban’s McCoy.
Coincidently, Sir David Frost was on the Daily Show last night, discussing the real-life version. Apparently they’ve released a DVD of the Frost/Nixon interview.
“Frank Langella is a great actor, and (assuming PAD is on target) should get a Best Actor nomination. But unless the Academy is brain-dead, his chances of winning died the instant these words were spoken…”
I’d imagine they’d be in different categories. Ledger is a supporting actor, while it sounds like Langella is a lead (though I haven’t seen the movie, so I don’t for sure).
Frank Langella: from Skeletor to Nixon. Which direction is he going on the playing evil scale? 🙂
I’ve also seen the film, though technically I can’t fully review it because of an official embargo. But I have to agree it’s compelling cinema with some outstanding performances – expanded nicely from the famous stage play by the two original leads.
Though I’m not old enough to remember experiencing the original events and I know there are some creative detours (the infamous late-night call is fiction), I’d think it’s a fair assessment of Nixon though perhaps a little unfair on Frost who may have been a populist, but was hardly a ‘lightweight’ at the time – as the film perhaps paints him.
Will indeed be interesting to see if the film features in Oscar noms in the next few months.
John
I’ve also seen the film, though technically I can’t fully review it because of an official embargo. But I have to agree it’s compelling cinema with some outstanding performances – expanded nicely from the famous stage play by the two original leads.
Though I’m not old enough to remember experiencing the original events and I know there are some creative detours (the infamous late-night call is fiction), I’d think it’s a fair assessment of Nixon though perhaps a little unfair on Frost who may have been a populist, but was hardly a ‘lightweight’ at the time – as the film perhaps paints him.
Will indeed be interesting to see if the film features in Oscar noms in the next few months.
John