Movie Review: Frost/Nixon

A better title for "Frost/Nixon" would be to replace the slash with a "vs.," to emphasize how director Ron Howard's latest generates exciting tension through a battle of the wits. 

Set in 1977, the film chronicles how British television personality David Frost who in 1977 had the rare opportunity to interview and confront former president Richard Nixon on his abuse of governmental power without a public apology.  Frost sought to push his fame to new heights, while Nixon hoped to rebuild his disgraced image to run for office in the future and earn an easy $600,000. 

Their stories of arranging the interview, strategizing their points and ultimately going toe-to-toe on camera is a surprisingly sharp, funny and gripping film adaptation written by Peter Morgan, who also authored the hit play.  What results is a Hollywood rarity: a compelling all-talk character drama, with no special effects other than a few 70s hair styles and side burns.

The two leads from the theatrical production reprise their roles, including the great Frank Langella who won a Tony as the manipulative, long-winded Nixon.  Langella disappears into character and displays remarkable wit by creating a villain both charismatic and vicious.  Nixon seeks what draws most people to TV: fame, money and the chance to tell his story the way he sees it.   However beneath his tough exterior lies a battered soul weighed down by years of denial and loneliness in defending his scarred reputation. 

Yes, Langella should receive an Oscar nomination, but even more dynamic is his counterpart played by Michael Sheen, previously seen as Tony Blair in "The Queen," as the smooth, stylish Frost.  Once rejected from American television, Frost originally wanted to interview Nixon to boost his viewership in hopes of furthering his success in London and Australia because, as he arrogantly states, "success in America is unlike anything else."  

But the costly price tag of the interview digs into his wallet and later his ego.  Advertisers leave him when word gets around that during the first of his four interviews with the former president he could not penetrate Nixon's intellectual armor.  Frost's mental state dwindles until a late-night phone call from a drunken Nixon clarifies his goal: to milk an apology from Nixon that Americans never received.  Sheen's eyes communicate Frost's troubled soul, exposing inner anxiety and fear beneath his toothy smile as his savings, credibility and career are all on the line. 

Matthew Macfadyen plays Frost's supportive colleague alongside journalists played by Oliver Platt and a rousing Sam Rockwell as researchers hired to takedown Nixon.  And for a little sex appeal and class, Rebecca Hall perfectly serves as Frost's womanly support. 

On Nixon's team, Kevin Bacon brings his usual tough, militant presence as Nixon's top advisor.  Toby Jones also has a hilarious supporting role as Nixon's agent, even if his East Coast accent is a little rough around the edges. 

Cinematographer Salvatore Totino gives the film a crisp, glossy feel and expertly uses many close-up shots to capture the nuances of each character.  The great composer Hans Zimmer, last heard in "The Dark Knight," again demonstrates how he can bolster a film's drama with a few well-placed orchestral flourishes.  Top credit goes to Howard who, in making one of his personal bests, connects all of the film's great elements to form a powerful cinematic experience where verbal sparring creates more suspense and tension than an action blockbuster.  

3.5 out of 4 stars

By Eric Horwitz

Ericjhorwitz@gmail.com