Frost/Nixon


Director Ron Howard is at the height of his powers with this screen adaptation of Peter Morgan’s play about a series of interviews British talk show host David Frost conducted with Richard Nixon in 1977. For such a simple concept the film is taut, engaging and fascinating.

Frank Langella is brilliant as the embittered Nixon, hoping to reverse his fortunes by vindicating himself in the interviews. It’s an Oscar-worthy performance. Sheen (Tony Blair in The Queen) is spot on as the talk show host hoping to reverse his own fortunes by essentially “convicting” Nixon of his crimes.

Langella and Sheen are supported by terrific performances by Sam Rockwell and Oliver Platt as Frost’s associates, and Kevin Bacon as Nixon’s chief of staff.

Frost/Nixon is an absorbing exploration of television journalism, entertainment and politics. Watching the movie I was unaware as to what was fact and what was not, but the end result was so engrossing that ultimately the line that blurred truth from fiction did not matter.


***** out of 5

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