They didn’t call him Tricky Dick for nothing. But underdog TV star David Frost endeavors to make Richard Nixon finally own up to the disgrace of Watergate in the historical character study “Frost/Nixon.”
Initially slow and wordy but eventually tense and substantial, this adaptation of the acclaimed West End and Broadway play is a brilliantly acted psychological sparring match. It will surely fascinate political and media junkies if not the popcorn movie crowd.
As directed by the reliable Ron Howard, from a script by the piece’s playwright, Peter Morgan, the drama pits a wily, brooding 37th president of the United States against a lightweight English celebrity host as they meet, prepare for and then face off in their famous series of television interviews in 1977. It was the first time Nixon (Frank Langella, reprising his Tony-winning role) would publicly address his administration’s corruption after his unprecedented resignation from office three years earlier.
Frost — played by “The Queen’s” steady Michael Sheen, also from the original stage cast — is exaggerated for effect in this fictionalized/personalized version of events. He’s depicted as a wildly ambitious, shallow womanizer who evolves through the story into a serious journalist. The screenplay heightens the contrast between the two opposing personalities — the socially inept old barracuda versus the young upstart dandy — and illustrates the high stakes for each in a long (too long) prologue before their on-air duels in the movie’s riveting second half.
Frost put his personal fortune and professional reputation on the line. Without the guarantee of network support, he paid the pardoned former commander in chief $600,000 for the sit-down, a record amount at the time. The imperious Nixon had never been called to account for the criminality of his presidency’s dirty tricks and cover-ups. Can Frost get Nixon to face the music at last?
Many people over 40 will remember the answer, thus blunting some of the suspense. But it is fascinating to view the behind-the-scenes machinations, as the two teams behind the men illustrate the passions of the era. Kevin Bacon plays the president’s loyal head staffer, with Oliver Platt as Bob Zelnick and Sam Rockwell as James Reston researching on the other side.
They complete one of the best acting ensembles of the year. Langella stands out most, though, never relying on cheap caricature to relate the complicated soul of this most notorious 20th-century icon.
Quick info
“Frost/Nixon”
4 out of 5 Stars
Stars: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Kevin Bacon
Director: Ron Howard
Rated R for some language
Running Time: 122 minutes
