J: It was a very strange experience to watch a movie based on an event and time in history that I actually lived through. It was something akin to having a really bad acid flashback – or so I’ve been (ahem) told. But leave it to Ron Howard, truly one of the most gifted directors when it comes to this genre, to take “Frost/Nixon” in a direction that was unexpected.I have always been a firm believer in using the same actors for their parts when a play is turned into a film, even though the wisdom of the Hollywood Machine is to put, often miscast, big box office stars in a play-to-film effort to boost the take. Case in point (this is an oldie but one of my Top 10 gripes), who in the world got the bright idea that Marlon Brando could sing the part of Sky Masterson in “Guys and Dolls”! Fortunately, Ron Howard has enough power, and talent, behind him to get the original primary cast members of “Frost/Nixon” to reprise their roles in this extremely well done adaptation. Frank Langella embodies Richard M. Nixon in a way that is close to frightening. He is, by turns, affable, scary, self-loathing, arrogant, and extremely confused – exactly the Nixon I remember. Not to mention he looks just like him….sorry, just had to suppress a chill! And, frankly (no pun intended), I think David Frost ought to get up every day and utter a sincere “thank you” to Michael Sheen because the David Frost I remember NEVER looked that hot! And Michael wears the 1970’s very well, both in his “period costumes” if you will, but also inhabiting the wild, anything goes attitude of the era. Hard to believe he is a werewolf on his days off! But, appearances aside, each actor personifies each person right down to their mannerisms and quirks.
The supporting cast does a wonderful job and all stay true to the time period. By the way, Clint Howard better hope his brother NEVER stops making movies! But then again, we should all hope the same. Beginning the movie with each of the characters in an interview format was a neat treat and what I mean by an unexpected direction. It took a minute to figure out that I was watching the characters and not the actors portraying them. All worked very hard to breathe life into what could have been a deadly boring story line.
In addition to the awesome acting and directing, I couldn’t help notice how the lighting was made to play around Frank Langella as Nixon. He was always moving from light into shadow, a wonderful metaphor for this particular president. Far from being a dry retelling of history, this film holds the viewer with all the emotions and machinations that went with this strange period in our history. Yes, you know the plot but you don’t know the back-story and for that reason alone I would recommend this movie. Loved the movie but I have to say, I’m certainly tired of living through rotten presidents!
K: I had put off seeing this movie because I thought I wouldn't be able to follow all the political intricacies of the period since I was a toddler when all of this happened in real life. But I was thrilled that this movie wasn't like that at all. I could just relax and let myself get sucked into the story (the best quality of a good movie, imho).
I would say that the best part of the movie was that Nixon wasn't painted in the flat and predictable colors I was expecting. The depth of his character was fabulously acted by Frank Langella, who really brought to life the insecurities that seem to have been the driving force behind all the mistakes Nixon made.
Obviously, Michael Sheen is an excellent actor and Ron Howard certainly knows how to make a great movie. Everyone should spend two hours to watch this one. It's definitely worth the time.
