David Frost (Michael Sheen) is a British talk show host, exiled to Australia. It is at this time that he, through the magic of television, witnesses President Richard Nixon stepping down and the thought of interviewing him crosses his mind. He runs with it, causes a massive debt but successfully setting the stage for what could be his grand return or further shunning in director Ron Howard’s Frost/Nixon.
The film gets off to quite a start. We are immediately introduced to the situation through a series of motivated clips. Only crucial information is handled via vintage newsreel. Intercut, we see actors being interviewed while in character. So the narrative plays like a traditional film, only with pieces of interviews spliced in. It works out as a wonderful way to provide exposition and understand the motives of the characters. When it comes down to it, motives are the driving force of this picture. In one corner, Frost wants to regain the success he lost and rejoin his social circles. Seeking redemption of another sort is Nixon, a disgraced ex-President who wants to adjust his legacy.
Frank Lagella’s interpretation of Nixon is a humanizing and cocky portrayal. He doesn’t mock the man but grants him an intelligence often overlooked in films, ultimately leaving it to question whether or not he should be pitied or reviled. Sheen is quite the opposite, but just as arrogant and nonetheless brilliant. As Frost he channels a toned down Austin Powers, which fits remarkably well in the world painted by Howard. Let it be noted that Frost/Nixon is Ron Howard’s masterpiece. Here he again shows his brilliance for capturing an era without making a film as shoddy as those of the same time. By that, there is every indication on screen that the time period is correct, yet the image doesn’t try to pass as vintage. Editing and cinematography may be the secretive stars of the show. Without a doubt standout work featuring eye catching angles and invigorating cuts. In fact the presentation is so remarkable that the synopsis fails to do it justice. It is every bit as thrilling as the better Rocky films, and I dare say more exciting than The Dark Knight if not more attractive.
The timing of the film must be viewed as a cheap shot. Sure, it was released after the Presidential election, but the buzz surrounding it was drummed up to usher in anti-Republican notions. Being deceased, Richard cannot defend any claims the film produces and it should be noted that it is based on a play, which is in turn based on true events. In any case fictionalized accounts of history depict a bias that filmmakers can work tirelessly to cut but never hide. In Frost/Nixon some of the openly bias characters are escalated. One such example is James Reston Jr. played by Sam Rockwell. Reston is hysteric to the point in which he loses credibility, making one wonder as to what Howard was trying to achieve. I for one found it to be fair, and if dancing around this issue is the only mark I can place against it, then this film is certainly deserving of any and all awards it shall received. ***½
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