Refreshing and Candid

Rating: 8/10 (27 December 2008)

While I am not an expert on Watergate, I have read quite a bit on Nixon and the performance by Frank Langella was absolutely stunning. While he does not quite look like Nixon, or quite sound like him, 10 minutes into the move you think it is Nixon. It is a masterful performance.
The movie itself was pretty good. It is not great, though the ending is great, if that makes sense. First let me say, the movie drags for about an hour mid way through. While the scenes with Nixon are riveting, the parts of David Frost are just not that interesting. Probably because he in real life, he is simply just not a guy you are dying to learn about.
While I have not seen the actual Front/Nixon interview tapes in their entirety, those that have concede they were painfully boring with the exception of the Watergate segment, which riveted the nation.
And that was the movie too. The movie was from David Frost's point of view, because it had to be. If it were from Nixon's point of view, nobody would have cared because in reality nobody really cares about David Frost. The movie does have some interesting moments, but nothing memorable....except the scenes with Nixon.
What made the movie was the final 20 minutes. While it was not Ron Howard's intent, you do feel sorry for Nixon in the end. Maybe it's because many years have passed. Maybe its because the last two guys we have had in the oval office have been so unpresidential, it's refreshing to see an larger than life figure.
Frank Langella carried this movie. Without him, it would have been a bust. But with him, its one of the year's best. Stick with the middle of the movie and be patient. The ending is powerful.