Rating: ***1/2
Ron Howard is no stranger when it comes to exploring some of the defining moments in American history, the near-death space mission known as Apollo 13 and the personal struggle during the Great Depression in Cinderella Man. Howard’s latest project is Frost/Nixon; a dramatization of the famous series of televised interviews between television personality David Frost and former president Richard Nixon. Rising back from the disappointment of The Da Vinci Code, Howard brilliantly recreates Peter Morgan’s Tony Award-winning play surrounding the lives between the British talk-show host cum playboy and the embittered president, who resigned from office due to the Watergate scandal.
Frank Langella reprises his role as Richard Nixon, which won him the 2007 Tony Award for Best Actor. Langella’s performance is not a long-winded impression of Nixon that one might expect; it is a detailed look at his nuances, personality, and long-standing battle between his inner demons and his ego. He delivers the social discomfort Nixon has when addressing a room of orthodontists and his sheer bitterness during a drunken phone call with Frost. Not since Anthony Hopkins has anyone portrayed Nixon with much raw emotion and alcoholic delusion.
Michael Sheen has portrayed Tony Blair in The Deal and The Queen with such energy and an unforgettable smile. Sheen delivers the charm and suaveness of David Frost, the man who started off interviewing The Bee Gees and hosting entertainment specials before becoming a world renowned news anchor. Sheen’s charm, sheer ambition, and intensity blend beautifully with Langella uptight and social impotence. The chemistry Sheen and Langella is as strong as it was when they performed Frost/Nixon on Broadway in 2007.
Watching Howard’s intense 180 degree shots between Nixon and Frost mirror De Niro’s in the boxing ring in Raging Bull. The verbal punches and blows during the three day interview turn into heart-pounding suspense as Frost cross-examines Nixon about Watergate. When all is said and done, you don’t know if you should cheer for Frost, or take sympathy towards Nixon as he slowly strips away the ego and bravado he once had. Frost/Nixon is a brilliant recreation of one of the greatest interviews in television history.
Ron Howard is no stranger when it comes to exploring some of the defining moments in American history, the near-death space mission known as Apollo 13 and the personal struggle during the Great Depression in Cinderella Man. Howard’s latest project is Frost/Nixon; a dramatization of the famous series of televised interviews between television personality David Frost and former president Richard Nixon. Rising back from the disappointment of The Da Vinci Code, Howard brilliantly recreates Peter Morgan’s Tony Award-winning play surrounding the lives between the British talk-show host cum playboy and the embittered president, who resigned from office due to the Watergate scandal.
Frank Langella reprises his role as Richard Nixon, which won him the 2007 Tony Award for Best Actor. Langella’s performance is not a long-winded impression of Nixon that one might expect; it is a detailed look at his nuances, personality, and long-standing battle between his inner demons and his ego. He delivers the social discomfort Nixon has when addressing a room of orthodontists and his sheer bitterness during a drunken phone call with Frost. Not since Anthony Hopkins has anyone portrayed Nixon with much raw emotion and alcoholic delusion.
Michael Sheen has portrayed Tony Blair in The Deal and The Queen with such energy and an unforgettable smile. Sheen delivers the charm and suaveness of David Frost, the man who started off interviewing The Bee Gees and hosting entertainment specials before becoming a world renowned news anchor. Sheen’s charm, sheer ambition, and intensity blend beautifully with Langella uptight and social impotence. The chemistry Sheen and Langella is as strong as it was when they performed Frost/Nixon on Broadway in 2007.
Watching Howard’s intense 180 degree shots between Nixon and Frost mirror De Niro’s in the boxing ring in Raging Bull. The verbal punches and blows during the three day interview turn into heart-pounding suspense as Frost cross-examines Nixon about Watergate. When all is said and done, you don’t know if you should cheer for Frost, or take sympathy towards Nixon as he slowly strips away the ego and bravado he once had. Frost/Nixon is a brilliant recreation of one of the greatest interviews in television history.
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