Ron Howard takes a screenplay written by Peter Morgan based off his own stage play and makes a compelling movie all revolving around one interview. Frank Langella is Richard Nixon who begins the movie by resigning from the Presidential Office after the Watergate scandal. Nixon is pardoned for all his crimes by the succeeding President, Gerald Ford, and never goes on trial. The American public didn’t get closure. Michael Sheen is David Frost, a British TV host working in Australia who desires success in America after previous failed attempts. He requests a one-on-one interview with Nixon and is granted one due to Nixon’s staff believing Frost will not be able to crack the President and it will in conclusion come off well for him. The movie is incredibly interesting whether you knew the true story beforehand or not. Story aside though, the movie is made through the acting performances by the entire cast.
Frank Langella is the stand out here. He may not look entirely like Nixon or even have his voice impression down to a science but he goes above and beyond to show the inner torment and sorrow of a man who betrayed the American people and is haunted by his wrongdoings. Michael Sheen does a good job also. What first begins as a personal struggle for success ends up becoming the seeking out of the real truth behind the scandal. Frost doesn’t even seem interested in the topic at hand during the first half of the movie and he is more concerned with getting his name and face out in the public eye, but he soon realizes the serious nature of the interview and what it means for America.
The supporting cast is also top notch. My favorite would be Sam Rockwell as Jim Reston, a man who is totally obsessed with bringing down Nixon and joins Frost’s staff to help him prepare for the interview. He has some fiery scenes to get across how his life revolves around this topic. Oliver Platt is also on Frost’s staff and provides a bit of comic relief as he is the more light-hearted one of the group. Matthew Macfadyen is the producer Frost hires to finalize his group of men. He stands by Frost through all the ups and downs (mostly downs) and is really his right hand man. Good performance here too. An underutilized Kevin Bacon serves as Jack Brennan of Richard Nixon’s staff. He has a few emotional scenes that make me wish he was used a bit more. The only cast member I didn’t care for much was the love interest, Caroline Cushing played by Rebecca Hall. Nothing really comes of her role besides being arm candy for Frost.
This is a classic case of phenomenal acting carrying a simple movie about an interview and making it damn entertaining for the movie-goer. The beginning takes a while to get moving but once the background story is laid and the interview starts then it keeps you entertained for the rest of the ride. The intensity of Nixon in the final scenes alone guarantee Langella a good shot at an Oscar. And just think, this was the same guy who played Skeletor in the He-Man movie, Masters of the Universe. Who woulda thunk it? Stamp this bad boy. Its MADE!
IMDB – 8/10
Rotten Tomatoes – 90%
Movie Wiseguys – 8.5/10
