FROST/NIXON (Universal Pictures)

Directed by Ron Howard

No matter how hard we try, there’s just no way to eliminate politics from Hollywood, both on and off the big screen. If that’s the case, then why do we try and why do the Academy Awards become more and more political each New Year? It’s no secret my feelings on the past few ceremonies and how large of a role politics have played, but I guess that’s an answer we may never get the privilege to know. Either way, politics will never go away and after one of the most historical election year’s this country has ever seen, I for one welcome more and more films to not only stare down politics, but force moviegoers to see more of the truth behind this government and the things our leaders do or don’t do. I realize not everything we see on the big screen is true when it comes to politics, but the same can be said about our national news, so pick your poison. Because, to me, if this past election did not prove to you just how intricate the media’s role is in this country, I don’t know what will. And the funny thing is, none of this is new. Sure, there’s quite a few more media outlets now than there were 30 years ago, but the same truth is there, which is the camera never lies. Regardless of the situation or circumstances, the truth will come out behind the vigilant lenses of a camera, the plain and simple mantra behind FROST/NIXON.

Back in the summer of 1977, a series of interviews took place between former President Richard M. Nixon (Frank Langella) and British talk show host David Frost (Michael Sheen). The hope for Nixon was to clean up his image after the Watergate debacle and fallout that had shaken the country, while Frost just wanted to better his career and future prospects. At the time, you couldn’t have asked for better TV and just landing the famed interview was a win for Frost and Co., but they had to deliver and that meant grabbing the long awaited confession from the dishonored President. Doing so would not be easy though and Frost gathered the best team money could buy, so that nothing would fall through the cracks, hoping he would then be able to get the answers America craved for, no matter how hard it would wind up being. Equally, Nixon’s team strategically made sure they had a plan for each scenario, so that no stone was unturned and the former President would come out of the interviews as the winner. The result, was nothing less than spectacular, as the intensity leading up to and during these interviews was enough to make any ordinary leader cringe, much less a TV show host.

I have no doubt that when you sit down to watch FROST/NIXON, you will recognize both Frank Langella and Michael Sheen, but won’t know from where. That is, unless you had the privilege of seeing this story played out on the stage, but either way Ron Howard could not have done this film without these two, if you ask me. Sure, plenty of actors could have played Richard Nixon and David Frost, but I guarantee they wouldn’t have been as convincing as these two were. Call it an obvious move by Howard if you want, but truthfully, a lot of director’s would not have pulled the trigger in this way. Howard did and never looked back, confident his two stars would knock it out of the park, which they did with ease. This was especially true for Langella, a veteran who knows how to stay within the character, carrying all those famous mannerisms and actions of the infamous President.

And although I never grew up during Nixon’s presidency, having been born during the summer that these interviews took place, I saw no flaw in his performance as the man they dubbed “Tricky Dick.” Same can be said for Sheen, who continues to impress me, as this is second role in the past two years that I feel disserves an Oscar nod, the other coming out of THE QUEEN, in which he played Tony Blair. But, like 2006, he might will most likely get snubbed for a more notable performance, but I guess that will happen when you take on side-projects like the UNDERWORLD series. Either way, Sheen has Frost down pat, bringing out all the cockiness of the famed TV show host, yet still fairly vulnerable when the intensity gets to level he’s not so familiar with. That unique balance is what made Frost so hard to read at times and Sheen was able to bring that out at just the right times during the film. Whether that was when he was going over the plan with this crew prior to or during the interviews or staring down Langella’s Nixon, you couldn’t have asked for better drama. Ironically, the supporting cast in this one is probably more recognizable than the two main stars, as Kevin Bacon, Sam Rockwell and Oliver Platt all jump right into the moment with groundbreaking performances. Bacon might get more noticed, but to me it was Rockwell that stole a few scenes from the others, as his James Reston Jr. was about as true as it came during that period following the tumultuous Presidency.

Stories like FROST/NIXON don’t come around that often and I agree without great acting, there’s really no chance for success as so much depends on it, but writing and directing still play their part respectively. Because the fact is, someone still has to make a film which is basically just one long interview interesting and watchable. Clearly respecting the play that inspired this film, director Ron Howard made sure to lay all focus on his cast, but while doing so brought in certain camera shots and angles when the drama called for it. Doing this allowed each and every emotion or talking point to be magnified and much more enjoyable to watch. And its here where I think Howard is at his best, as he finds that perfect match of balance between emotion and honesty, yet still bringing in all the undisclosed myths behind the heart of the story. That combined with the brilliant script, penned by Peter Morgan, who also wrote the play, made for some great entertainment for a story that most of us probably never knew about, much less would even consider watching, depending on our own views of the notorious President and his Watergate scandal.

Although people won’t admit it, stories like FROST/NIXON get the juices flowing, which is why I want more of these films on the big screen. But, no matter how much you know or don’t know about President Richard M. Nixon and his storied Presidency, you should watch this film. And not for anything other than seeing behind the man known for one giant mistake, and a man that would never back down despite it being in his best interests, which in the end became his demise. With performances as good as this, all shown through the careful lenses of director Ron Howard, its hard to find any reason not to see this wonderful piece of moviemaking.

A