Frost/Nixon (Ron Howard)

In 1974, the Watergate scandal was revealed to the world. leading President Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) to resign from office. 3 years later, top British television star David Frost (Michael Sheen) puts together the possibility of an interview with the now reclusive Nixon, thinking it will lead to stardom in America. With no money, no network support and a group of cynical yet eager investigators supporting him (Oliver Platt and Sam Rockwell), the interviews go ahead, with the hopes of a confession being extracted. But Nixon begins to live up to his Tricky Dicky nickname more than they had thought.

David Frost and Richard Nixon are two men you couldn't create yourself. At the time, Frost was a charismatic, if slightly slimy, TV star who enjoyed the public eye and many women in brought to his feet. Nixon, now a common figure of ridicule and caricature (see Futurama), was responsible for one of the biggest crimes in US history but clung to the stubborn idea that what he did was the right thing. Both had big ambitions they could have gained from the interviews and they both fought for them, turning manipulation into a fine art. It's apt that Howard directed Cinderella Man because the battle here is much like a boxing match. The opponents take each other's verbal punches and aren't afraid to get a little dirty. Howard is a director I can usually take or leave and I find he can often be a little over sentimental but he is at his finest in this film. Part mock documentary, you get a chance to see the inner workings of the interviews and their organisation but it never feels cloying or fake. With some great close ups and constant tension throughout the interviews, it's stirring stuff. When the camera zooms in on both interviewer and interviewee's faces during that climactic moment, you see the truth burst through.
Both Sheen and Langella originated the roles on stage but Langella was the one who received the lion's share of praise. His Nixon is an excellent imitation and he fills Richard with an unusual ambiguous feeling. He nails the all to easily mocked grumbles but very occasionally slips into parody. He can do a lot with a simple look but there's not enough of these moments for him to shine as Nixon the person, not just Nixon the figure of hate. However, Sheen gets it perfect. He has done so well playing real life figures, from Kenneth Williams to Tony Blair, and his Frost is right on the money. He plays the role with different parts - playboy TV darling to mocked dreamer to interrogator. One can't help but wonder why he hasn't become world famous yet. Bring on The Damned United and his well deserved Oscar nomination! The American cast amply support the heavyweights of the title, from Oliver Platt and Sam Rockwell as the investigators for the interviews to Kevin Bacon as Nixon's supremely loyal aide. Rebecca Hall, the only real female role of the film, is underused but lights up the screen.
What surprised me most about the film was the wit in the script. Peter Morgan adapted the story from his own play and keeps the verbal sparring as potent as possible. There are some very funny moments too which I didn't expect. The energy is high throughout and enhances the feelings of the US public at the time. People were crying out for Nixon's head and due to the pardon he received from President Ford, he would never stand trial for what he did. Morgan infuses his script with the regret and desperation people had, especially highlighted in Rockwell's character. It's an excellent piece of work.
Consistently exciting, a real return to form for Howard and hopefully the film that will catapult Sheen into superstardom, Frost/Nixon could be the dark horse of the Oscar race. It's a riveting story worthy of your time and hopefully Oscar's too.