Now, the Angels Will Want to Wear Nixon's Italian Shoes

Rating: 9/10 (15 August 2010)

Now, apart from the wobbly camera shouting, "Documentary! Realistic!" in a couple of scenes, this is a perfectly executed film, with the director sharply focused on the art of story-telling in a motion picture. Mr. Howard has found incredible focus, and uses his strength as an "actor's director" to full advantage - the performances of co-stars Frank Langella (Nixon) and Michael Sheen (Frost) are a tribute to themselves and the Howard's keen orchestration. And, there is a great ensemble around the leads, with Sam Rockwell and Kevin Bacon preaching to the "liberal" and "conservative" choirs.
Probably, the most extraordinary thing about "Frost/Nixon" can be witnessed in Mr. Langella's characterization.
Langella doesn't waste time trying to impersonate Nixon; instead, he finds a character very much like him, who happens to fit both the story being told and our impression of what Nixon could have been like, in this context. It's not Nixon, but an amazing facsimile. Less well known, but closer to the mark is Mr. Sheen's portrayal of a talk show host who could never mask the phoniness with which he proclaimed each guest's latest project as a "Smashing!" success. Frost would have preferred to compliment the "simply marvelous" furniture on the deck of the Titanic, which is why Nixon picked him.
A full pardon to conspiring writer Peter Morgan. "The play's the thing, wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King."
"Frost/Nixon" comes along when director Howard wielded a lot of power over the small pool of potential great film projects available, and a fine-looking production was assured - nevertheless, you expected the finished product to also maintain a sleek, almost regrettable safeness. And, this film, like it or not, elevates both of its character subjects - Richard M. Nixon and David Frost - along with their mutually beneficial "mini-series" of interviews to an undeserved legendary status. That it fails factually and may unfortunately blur historical perceptions is beside the point - it's still an excellent film.
********* Frost/Nixon (10/15/08) Ron Howard ~ Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Sam Rockwell, Kevin Bacon