Excellent

Rating: 9/10 (6 January 2009)

Film version of what happened when David Frost decided to try to interview Richard Nixon. Based upon the play that played London and Broadway last year this is a top example at how to adapt a play for the screen and get something that exists on its own. Its also contains two of the best performances of the year in Michael Sheen as Frost and Frank Langella as Nixon.
I saw the play twice on Broadway and there was something about seeing the sparring there, right in front of you that made it a magical night at the theater. The Langella won a Tony as Nixon in a performance that was scary to see in person because he disappeared so deeply in the role it was like Nixon on stage. It's probably one of the best things I've seen Give points to Ron Howard and his crew to taking the play and turning it into a film. To be certain there are similarities but at the same time its entirely its own animal. This is the the story of Frost and Nixon and their battle to tell the story of what happened in the Nixon White House. Sheen is amazing and even more affecting then he was on stage as Frost. We see the pain and uncertainty of a man who has thrown every little bit of himself and his fortune (and the fortunes of friends and relatives) in a gamble to become a hit once more in America. In its way its a thankless role compared to Nixon since he often seems to be just a party guy asking questions, however Sheen pulls it off making him into a person you really care about.
The real story of the film is Langella. Minutes after seeing him on screen he ceases to be anything other than Nixon. (How could they have even considered Warren Beatty in the role?) Its an amazing transformation, and in some ways better then it was on Broadway where you couldn't see the details of his face. Its amazing. If you don't like Langella in the role at first wait until the end, wait until the final confrontation, watch Langella's face- watch it and I dare you to see anything other than a broken man. Watch the face in the monitors, its all there. Even watch the final shots of Nixon alone looking at the sea, its masterful physical performance.
This is a wonderful film it really is. Its a film that anyone interested in a good movies should see. I don't know if its a truly great film, but it is a really good one. Certainly its one of the best of 2008.