Mesmerizing

Rating: 9/10 (27 December 2012)

Quite honestly, Frost/Nixon is a movie that, based on the trailers and other promos, looked somewhat tedious. I should have known better. Thanks to the skilled direction of Ron Howard and the extraordinary acting of both Frank Langella and Michael Sheen, this is the best exploration of the workings and motivations of a U.S. President that I have ever seen.
The story follows David Frost, a comedic television host whose career is on thin ice, as he attempts to setup a televised interview of then ex- President Richard Nixon. His initial motivation is clearly anchored in the projected ratings/financial gain that would come from the four part series, but, with aid received from a pair of academics, one of whom is played by Sam Rockwell (who has recently had two great roles, including his stint in Moon), Frost begins to see the achievement that could be obtained if he's able to break down some figurative walls and broach the topic of Watergate as no one else had been able to do. People are skeptical of Frost's ability to effectively interview the troubled, often evasive Nixon, and, to add insult to injury, the funding for the project–which is acquired through the solicitation of various sponsors– begins to dissolve mid-interview.
Howard approaches Frost/Nixon, taken from a stage play bearing the same name, as if it is a documentary. The story is clearly told from the various perspectives of the major players involved in the process of making the interview a reality, and, as boring as that may sound, it works incredibly well here. The show-stopper, however (as you've probably guessed), is Langella's portrayal of Nixon.
Through his facial expressions, the depiction of Nixon's characteristic tendency to sweat when agitated, and the delivery of his dialogue, we learn a a great deal about a fascinating historical figure. There's an especially hair-raising scene when Nixon, who had been decimating Frost in the interviews, calls his adversary the day before their final interview session. Nixon had been drinking, and he goes on a tirade in which he discloses his motivations, his fears, and his thoughts on life. For me, this, more than any other scene (except, perhaps, the final interview) is where Langella is really able to flex his acting "chops" and show us what he's got. He paints a portrait of Nixon as a deeply troubled individual who wants nothing more than to show those who said he wouldn't be able to ascend to the top that they're wrong. Here, Langella injects Nixon with a an almost tangible lust for power and scarily reveals his intolerance for any sort of resistance. Earlier in the film, we also witness the greed stewing in the former President, when his PR/marketing assistant, Swifty Lazar, expertly depicted by Toby Jones, mentions the amount of monetary compensation he'll receive if he decides to participate in the interviews. Nixon interestedly raises one eyebrow and quickly recants his desire to abstain from participation in interviews. Oddly, though, Nixon is humanized at the film's conclusion– we get a clear sense of the loneliness associated with one person's determined ascent to power. This is a move that some may find disconcerting, but it feels completely natural, so Howard won't get any complaints from me.
If you haven't already done so, add this to your Netflix queue. You won't regret it.