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Frost/Nixon
| Movie Rating: |
 | 9/10 |
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| DVD Rating: |
| 6/10 |
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| Overall Rating: |
| 8/10 |
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Movie Details: View Here
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Starring:
Frank Langella
Michael Sheen
Kevin Bacon
Sam Rockwell
Toby Jones
Matthew Macfadyen
Oliver Platt
Kate Jennings Grant
Special Features:
Deleted Scenes
The Making of Frost/Nixon: Take an in-depth look at all aspects of the production and discover the lengths it took to recreate this historic event for the big screen.
The Real Interview: Footage from the actual interview and how it compares to the way it was reenacted for the film.
The Nixon Library: Discover the materials that have been preserved for public viewing in the Richard Nixon Library, ranging from the "Nixon Tapes" to footage of Nixon visiting China.
Feature Commentary with Director Ron Howard
Other Info:
Video: Widescreen 2.35:1 Color (Anamorphic)
Audio: English: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
Run Time: 123 min
Rating: R
Synopsis from DVD Cover:
When disgraced President Richard Nixon agreed to an interview with jet-setting television personality David Frost, he thought he'd found the key to saving his tarnished legacy. But with a name to make and a reputation to overcome, Frost became one of Nixon's most formidable adversaries and engaged the leader in a charged battle of wits that changed the face of politics forever.
Quick Review:
This may out me as not being a "cool" movie critic, but I enjoy the films of Ron Howard. Also, I like movies about history. And, totally off topic, I'm a sucker for a talking animal flick. Go ahead, shun me, but don't make the mistake of ignoring "Frost/Nixon" because it sounds dull or ponderous, or because lots of people felt it didn't deserve Best Film or Best Director Oscar nominations. Sure, it's taking a subject and story just about everyone in the country knows and reenacting a series of interviews we could just as easily see in their original form, but Frank Langella's portrayal of Nixon alone makes this movie worth watching.
It's 1977, and TV journalist David Frost (Michael Sheen) wants to bolster his status from fluffy to serious, and what better way to do that than to land a big serious interview, in this case, Richard Nixon (Frank Langella), looking to speak to the American public about Watergate, his resignation, and his explanations for all the scandals. See, Frost's reputation had preceded him, and Nixon's people had assured him that if he wanted to come off looking sympathetic, maybe even heroic, then Frost was his guy. What he hadn't counted on was a worthy sparring partner, and the resulting interview, which aired in the U.S. over four episodes and drew over 45 million viewers, was a testament to the public's need for truth during one of the most tumultuous times in our country's history.
People will grouse and moan about this movie's place on a bunch of Top Ten lists in 2008, but for me, it was the whole package. Sure, it's not exactly hip or artsy, there's no controversy or catchy soundtrack, but it's a solid drama based on two fascinating men. Even for a "story" everybody already knows, there's an air of intrigue and suspense, especially if, like me, you never saw the original interviews. Of course we all know how things turned out, but to see it all dramatized out really creates some cool political tension. And yes, Langella is amazing as Tricky Dick, a man often imitated and spoofed but never explored with the depth seen here. There's not a jowl wiggle in sight, and we get to see a complicated man who, it seems, was merely a man. The only real gripe I have is with a totally fictitious phone call between Frost and a drunken Nixon, not because it didn't happen, but because it's a clunky almost-monologue that slows down the pace and serves as nothing more than a piece of over-extended explanation.
The Special Features are decent, if not especially noteworthy. There's an Audio Commentary with Howard, who proves once again that no matter what anyone says about his skills, he's pretty darn enthusiastic. Then there are about twenty minutes or so of Deleted Scenes; they're good, but not really integral to the movie's development. Three featurettes round out the Extras: "The Making of Frost/Nixon" is a by-the-numbers Making Of, "The Real Interview" is all about the original interview, and, as you might guess, "The Nixon Library" is an in-depth (in seven minutes) look at the life and legacy of the man himself.
In Conclusion:
Overall, "Frost/Nixon" is a compelling watch, bringing new life to a tale you may have thought you'd heard the last of in history class.
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