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9

hanneguacamoleJul 4, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Frost/Nixon is quickly established as historical and (at least tries to be) accurate. What we're seeing is the story of David Frost and Richard Nixon's epic duel unfold right before our eyes.

Nixon is our former president, and even though he's a really sleazy guy, he still really has the upper hand in these negotiations and even in the interviews. Nixon's been through all this before and Frost is just a foreigner that nobody even takes seriously. Of course we know how the movie's going to end, because even without prior knowledge, there's really only one plausible outcome. We know Nixon's getting sacked, but that doesn't stop the racing drama and race against the clock to prepare for these interviews and end out on top, not only with repuatation, but with high financial stakes as well.

"Success in America is unlike success anywhere else." Frost is perhaps just an ambitious guy that had the skills he needed to give Nixon a run for his money, but the so colorful and almost simplified settings throughout give a hint of disconnection from reality. Just as these interviews are portions of their lives – all shown on a two dimensional television screen for the world to see. Reduced to the face shot. A distorted face muttering the words "When the president does it, that means it's not illegal." Iconic. Unforgettable.

This "duel" was intense and heated by every sense of the word, but some aspects seemed to drone on, much like Nixon's answers in the first 3 tapings. But of course what we remember is the success at the end, and I can hardly fault the movie for following its own advice and really pulling it out at the end despite the somewhat lagging middle. Frost/Nixon honestly left me feeling sorry for Nixon. I had sympathy for Nixon and the Watergate scandal. I think that's really the sign of a well-told story, because although I knew who I was cheering for (Frost), I was able to see both sides and realize that it's not a black and white game. Life is gray, much like the story.… Expand

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0

TFMar 10, 2009

Ignores a lot of what really transpired. Ignores Frost's own version of the events, and instead goes for a sentimentality instead of giving us a good narrative. Unfortunately, this is what people think of as history these days, twisted Ignores a lot of what really transpired. Ignores Frost's own version of the events, and instead goes for a sentimentality instead of giving us a good narrative. Unfortunately, this is what people think of as history these days, twisted mediocre movies that barely tell the tale and never help us realize what the importance of an event was.… Expand

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3

DaleM.Feb 5, 2009

For the most part, the film tries to make history out of something that really wasn't that important historically. Who are they trying to kid? There is some evidence, however, that the director wants to portray a once powerful and For the most part, the film tries to make history out of something that really wasn't that important historically. Who are they trying to kid? There is some evidence, however, that the director wants to portray a once powerful and full-of-himself leader brought to level where, with the help of a rather simple-minded fool, he admits his flaws and sees his humanity. Just kidding! That would be King Lear, not Frost/Nixon. It is sad that some people apparently can't appreciate the difference. PS: Nixon did not look or talk like the guy in the film.… Expand

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5

J-ShapAug 27, 2011

Frost/Nixon has all the right makings for an incredibly good historical drama, but curiously doesn't end up going there. It's almost as if this film is too perfect. The degree that everything is processed and controlled to the slightestFrost/Nixon has all the right makings for an incredibly good historical drama, but curiously doesn't end up going there. It's almost as if this film is too perfect. The degree that everything is processed and controlled to the slightest moment oddly becomes the film's undoing, as such a desirable trait in film fails because it is used on real life, where things should come as more of a surprise and as more of a victory, than in Frost/Nixon. Perhaps that wouldn't matter so much if it felt like the idea it had from real life was still there (see: The Social Network), but everything has disappeared in this felt facade. This is an oddly artificial film.… Expand

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10

StevenFNov 7, 2013

This is a study of character and realisation, Frost/Nixon aims to delve into the interviews that took place between the former President Richard Nixon and British “talk show host” David Frost, it doesn’t delve into political motives orThis is a study of character and realisation, Frost/Nixon aims to delve into the interviews that took place between the former President Richard Nixon and British “talk show host” David Frost, it doesn’t delve into political motives or side-tracking corruption,only the men who sat in two chairs for a series of interviews, Frost, a choice that surprised many, was a man living a flamboyant life while also having television shows in Australia that were not anything close to the journalistic prowess that the public were expecting to take on the guilty President, yet the film outlines in dramatised form, how much of the process of these interviews and payments came largely from Frost’s own pocket. The film kicks off with snippets of news programs all those years ago as the Watergate scandal was revealed, but also how there was evidence of a cover-up by the President of the United States. The film is a close tailing of Frost as he decides to be the first person to interview the disgraced former President, he has no TV channels behind him or any concrete advertising, but all this acts as part of the mindset that this young presenter is in, he is in it really to rejuvenate his career and for it to mean something again, but his team of researchers, and of course, the nation, want him to press the President for a confession of his involvement in a cover-up, a point at the beginning of the interview process that Frost bites off a little more than he can chew, seemingly unprepared for the onslaught of anecdotes and stonewalling he received from Nixon. Michael Sheen takes on the role of Frost, a role he also played in the stage version of the show, while Nixon is played by Frank Langella, who also appeared in the same stage production. These two actors deliver fine performances, Sheen takes the stance in his character that he has nothing to lose with these interviews, yet when he is getting nowhere with his attempts at picking apart Nixon, he soon sees how it could all come crashing down, Langella perfectly incorporates the mannerisms and speech of Nixon, whose booming voice was one of his memorable qualities, but Langella also shows a man with regret and loneliness in his eyes, at some points even seeming like he wanted to confess, but remember, this is dramatised, because we don’t really know the type of relationship these two had other than in front of the cameras, but a certain scene which didn’t happen was added in, perhaps for the dramatic effect, where a drunken Nixon contacts Frost in the dead of night and discusses many character defects in vague detail, and although this event never actually happened, its pivotal for how the final interview plays out, and how Frost manages to have Nixon accept his guilt. In many ways the film certainly attempts to capture the essence of what went on during those interview days, but it also tries to make its own mark for the performances alone, which are the benchmark of the film, once these two sit face to face, thats when the magic occurs.… Expand

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8

30CentsAug 9, 2015

What can be said here? This is the movie about David Frost and Richard Nixon's conflict why Nixon resigned from presidental office. So why did Nixon resign from office? He left because of the watergate scandal in 1974. Nixon was all over T.VWhat can be said here? This is the movie about David Frost and Richard Nixon's conflict why Nixon resigned from presidental office. So why did Nixon resign from office? He left because of the watergate scandal in 1974. Nixon was all over T.V and the world, this is where the reality talk show host David Frost comes in. Frost paid Nixon $600,000 to be in the interview on a special T.V interview to speak to him live in front of millions of people, this was a lot to him back when he had accepted to be in the special interview.

Most of the performances in the movie are amongst the best in political drama; performances by Michael Sheen and Frank Langella add in to make the movie a joy ride. There are other amazing performances by Kevin Bacon, Sam Rockwell, and Oliver Platt as supporting actors. The movie takes it in a docudrama form with the characters describing the events that goes along in the movie as you watch it. The events are all well described accurately thanks to the well written screenplay and director Ron Howard's work on the film.

The film starts out with Nixon getting ready to tell the world that he is resigning from office. Millions and millions of people tuned into this speech where Nixon infamously said that he is resignging, but what they did not know is why he quit. British T.V host David Frost was one of those people who watched the presdient fly away in his helicopter to leave the white house forever. Frost comes up with a plan to get Nixon to say why he resigned from office, on world-wide T.V.

The film not only portrays David Frost and Richard Nixon so accurately, but it makes the audience feel for them. It is amazing how this interview was divided into four whole parts in such a span of time, being as it as, it is as if the interview was having difficulties getting over with. Nixon may have made a good decision with resigning, some disagree and thought he was afraid to say anything until he was cornered in the interview.

The film is a piece of work by director Ron Howard and the cast of the film. All the performances deserve to be memorable, Frost and Nixon were once notable, and still are today for being in the conflict they both had. Not only will they be remembered for the conflict, but they will be remembered for what they did. Frost being a popular talk show hose, and Nixon being the 37th U.S president. Even at the end, you will still wonder why Nixon chose to give up the once in a life time chance at being president, and what Frost did after the event.… Expand

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7

JayHApr 10, 2009

The fact I find both Richard Nixon and David Frost boring, doesn't help my outlook on this film. The craftmanship by Ron Howard is exceptional however. Fine performances. Frank Langella is good, but I didn't find him outstanding.