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This is, of course, far from his biggest accomplishment, to which Frost/Nixon pays testament in its adaptation of Peter Morgan’s play, centering on Frost’s interviews with disgraced former U.S. president Richard Nixon.
Three years after resigning the presidency amid the Watergate scandal, Nixon agreed to give an interview to David Frost, a choice motivated partly by Frost’s reputation as a ‘soft’ interviewer, but more by the paycheque Nixon would receive for the privilege. Frost also craved numbers in the form of large viewing figures, using his own money to finance the interviews and therefore upping the stakes personally as well as professionally.
Although it may seem highly political, ‘Frost/Nixon’ is very much a character-driven drama. The actual interviews, which are compelling enough on their own, only occupy around sixteen minutes of the running time, meaning that the rest of the film is an exploration of two outsiders craving acceptance and validation in their respective fields. Both Michael Sheen (Frost) and Frank Langella (Nixon) are excellent as they reprise their stage roles. Both performances are a master class in subtle insecurity: Frost hiding his worries behind his glistening smile, and Nixon trying to flex his social muscles which had probably atrophied after three years of near-isolation. The supporting cast is also superb, with Kevin Bacon exuding smugness as the aide to the former president.
While it may be strange to hear Frost’s distinctive voice coming from a person who doesn’t resemble him physically, Sheen’s performance is by no means an impression and is not comical. That’s not to say the film lacks comedy, which is a pleasant surprise amid all the high drama. Both Frost’s journalistic team and Nixon’s personal staff are presented as two armies gearing up for war, but neither is bereft of a sense of humour.
To UK audiences who have less of a personal experience surrounding Nixon and Watergate, this film will probably be a tale of the gung-ho British journalist taking on Nixon and winning. To those in the U.S. who are still aggrieved by Nixon’s crimes, they will be focused on Nixon’s downfall and admission of his wrongdoing. Neither audience will be disappointed. And while you may know the ending, it is no less tense when you get there.
Frost/Nixon will be released in the UK on Friday 23rd January.
Very good article. Michael Sheen was on BBC Radio 5live last week and did an excellent job selling the film to listeners, I can't wait to see it tomorrow night.
I'm not a big Ron Howard fan, but this seems like a film worth watching. It's refreshing to hear Howard actually come out and say that the point of the film wasn't to be historically accurate with regards the actual interview, but merely to make an entertaining film which focuses on the numerous personalities that surrounded Frost and Nixon, as well as the two men themselves.
I've been disappointed about the lack of awards buzz for Sheen. Langella's been getting all the praise, and seems a lock to get nominated at the Oscars this afternoon, but I think it's mostly because Nixon is a far more important figure in America than Frost, rather than the performance being better than Sheen's.
I can't wait to see him again in The Damned United.
I can't wait to see The Damned United either, I think it is released around March time isn't it? It was also interesting to hear Michael Sheen describe how the real David Frost felt uncomfortable about his portrayal at certain points, such as the extent to which the film makes the Nixon interviews appear like a last chance saloon to save his broadcasting career.
Fantastic film. Saw it with some free preview tickets during the weekend in cityscreen. What was amazing was Sheen's acting style of Frost. Just like Blair in The Queen his mannerisms, stance and personality is pratically identical.
It felt like I was watching the real David Frost.
I can't believe Jonny and Myles have points of view regarding topics other than football and futsal. Shocking, truly shocking.
We all enjoy some moonlighting now and again Greg...neither of us entered York without some form of education, and we certainly did not get into this university on the back of our football/futsal talent!
Speak for yourself McWilliams, I came to York on the back of a 'Futsal Scholarship', funded by Dan Webster and Mark Mckay!
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