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
• 
Recent Comments