Martin Sheen stars as David Frost in the gripping account of his infamous interview with disgraced US presdient Robert Nixon. The film has been nominated for several Oscars
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Frost/Nixon (15)
By Kim FrancisFebruary 05, 2009
It’s difficult to envisage how entertaining a film about an interview can be but dependable Hollywood heavyweight Ron Howard makes Frost/Nixon riveting stuff.
It shines the spotlight on the interview that David Frost (Michael Sheen) conducted with disgraced former US president Richard Nixon (Frank Langella).
It’s famous because the then unknown-in-the-US chat show host elicits a confession over Nixon’s criminal involvement in the Watergate scandal that shocked the world.
A coup for Frost, the 1977 interview remains the highlight of his time as a television presenter, propelling him to worldwide fame – while confirming the guilt of a man who had thus far managed to totally undermine the US Presidency with his refusal to acknowledge, apologise for and pay for his actions.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of Frost/Nixon is the performances from the two leads.
A film such as this hinges on performances and, as an audience, we have to be drawn into the characters, recognising them as human beings with a mix of good and bad qualities, flaws and idiosyncrasies.
At the same time we have to acknowledge them as public and historical figures.
Both Sheen and Langella triumph in their roles. Though Sheen’s impersonation of Frost veers a little towards caricature at times, he brings acres of charisma to the role making him an appealing lead.
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Whenever he flashes that electric smile, he imbues Frost with so much sex appeal, effectively highlighting Frost’s playboy persona cultivated during his early years as a presenter as well as exhibiting the man’s reported arrogance.
Sheen also brings confidence and intelligence to the role before finally drawing out a determined and serious side.
Langella meanwhile manages phenomenally to capture the essence of a man without going overboard on a carbon copy likeness.
An intense, compelling performance, Langella totally inhabits this role and brings to the screen a complex man who is driven, self-satisfied and self-absorbed but also one who feels inferior in some ways and, ultimately, one who is able to admit defeat.
The cast is rounded out with some high-calibre supporting players including Sam Rockwell and the often amusing double act of Matthew Macfadyen and Oliver Platt.
Kevin Bacon as Nixon’s advisor Jack Brennan is commendably restrained, underplaying a role that he could so easily have hammed up to Machiavellian proportions.
Frost/Nixon provides an interesting insight into the events surrounding this historic interview, even if it does take some liberties with the facts for the purpose of dramatisation.
It’s an absorbing portrait of two fascinating and compelling men and is a cinematic triumph.
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