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FROST / NIXON

With Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Sam Rockwell, Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt, Matthew Macfadyen, Rebecca Hall, Toby Jones

Written by Peter Morgan (based on his play)
Directed by Ron Howard

Nixon was such a grotesque personality, it is amazing how he reached the highest office in the world – oh hang on, he was a politician after all! This dramatization of the interviews conducted with the fallen US president and the sharp British TV personality David Frost is based on Peter Morgan’s acclaimed stage play. It focuses on David Frost’s adamant drive to get these interviews taped and broadcast (coming at a very high financial cost and possible career suicide). With Frost and his dedicated team the viewer is taken through the preparation and execution of these meetings for the series of post-presidency interviews where they were attempting to give the impeached (but pardoned) Nixon the trial he never had. But, constructed like a boxing match, the man who was brought down by the Watergate scandal was a crafty and formidable opponent which serves for some exciting, engrossing and dramatic scenes, as he keeps sidestepping the more timid Frost, the allocated time running out with still many unanswered questions hanging. Nixon agreed to the interviews hoping to save his credibility (but also pocketing a substantial fee).
I do however feel that Langella (regardless of his Oscar nomination for the role) hammed it up a bit, exaggerating Nixon to a great extent. Oscar-winning director Ron Howard (responsible for Splash, Apollo 13 and The Da Vinci Code) also got a nomination, together with writer Morgan, Best Picture and Editing categories, but winning none (knocked out by Slumdog Millionaire).

I’m very glad that in addition to the commentary track, informative ‘making-of’ material and a piece on the Nixon library and museum, the real interview is also looked at with some of the actual footage. Unfortunately the original four 90-minute sessions would not fit onto the disc(!), but would’ve been perfect.

4 / B
- Paul Blom


0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A - B
- C



6 - Volcanic
5 - Blistering
4 - Hot
3 - Smolder
2 - Room Temp.
1 - Fizzled
0 - Extinguished

A: Multiple Viewing Potential
B: Deserves Another Look
C: Once Should Suffice

© 2009 - Flamedrop Productions