Absolutely Brilliant

Rating: 10/10 (28 December 2008)

As a teenager in Australia when Nixon resigned, I didn't really understand the impact of his actions at the time. It's only later that I've come to believe in his betrayal not just of American politics but of all democracies that have the same fundamental beliefs.
So I went to see this film with some anticipation and was not disappointed. If Ron Howard was not considered a great director before, then surely he must be after this. The greatest problem with filming stage plays is overcoming the sense of "staticness". But Howard's superb use of different camera techniques which allow both a sense of movement but do not distract from the stunning acting performances.
Whilst Frank Langella is quite rightly getting a lot of attention for his remarkable performance (he manages to humanise Nixon, a feat I would have thought impossible), do not dismiss Michael Sheen's mesmerising effort as David Frost. Both men inhabit their characters, not just play them.
The support cast is excellent; Kevin Bacon reminds me of Eastwood at times and they are the best roles Oliver Platt and Sam Rockwell have had in a while.
A masterpiece.