zkonedog After the Watergate event that precipitated the demise of President Nixon, the nation anxiously waited for the interview that would very likely define the Nixon legacy. "Frost/Nixon" chronicles the process behind (and during) that very interview.For a basic plot summary, the film looks at two primary areas: the creation of the interview, which includes the odd choice of David Frost (Michael Sheen), and then the actual interview of Nixon (Frank Langella) itself, depicted as a battle of intellectual wits between both camps.What really makes this movie stand out is the incredible tension that director Ron Howard creates. Because of the deceit that Watergate perpetuated, as well as the pardon of Nixon by Gerald Ford that left much of the nation feeling that justice had not been served, this interview felt more important than just a few hours of airtime. Howard really captures that intensity, especially towards the end during the part of the interview that is now so well-known.On a quick note, Langella is as good of a "Nixon" as is humanly possible. At times, when the camera angle and his posture is right, you'll think that the former President is actually on screen himself.If you lived through that time period and remember it well, this film will likely flood you with a wave of nostalgia (both good and bad). However, I was born in 1985 and was STILL entranced by this film, knowing hardly anything going in about the interview.Thus, for all fans of political/cultural dramas, this is a worthwhile watch. It could have done a few things better, but overall it accomplishes its mission nicely: to re-create the importance and cultural relevance of those Frost/Nixon interviews.

kijii If you're going to this movie thinking you are just going to see another movie about Watergate, you will have to quickly adjust your thinking. I know, because that is what happened to me. This is a riveting and gut- wrenching movie about two men locked in a personal battle to use each other in order to change their public images. Neither is totally prepared for the contest that will be played out on the world TV stage. To be sure, this is a "no holds barred" showdown. But both Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) and David Frost (Michael Sheen who played Tony Blair in The Queen (2006) underestimate each other's public skills. To Nixon, David Frost is seen as just a second-rate British talk show host. To David Frost, the Nixon interviews are his ticket to do something that no other TV talk show host or reporter had managed to do: to get Nixon on record admitting something about himself that he had not heretofore publicly done. Frost, pushed by his fellow producers, wants Nixon to publicly take responsibility for the Watergate cover-up and for his own personal complicity in the final aspects of the Viet Nam War. As you watch this movie, you find yourself, at first, empathizing with David Frost who is in something big--but WAY over his head. Later, as you see the preparation for the interviews (on both sides), you feel empathy—yes, empathy--for Richard Nixon!! Both Oliver Stone, in Nixon (1995), and Ron Howard, in this movie, seem to have taped Richard Nixon as a figure of the high tragedy akin to a figure from a Greek tragedy or one of the "big four tragedies" of Shakespeare: Hamlet, Macbeth, Lear, and Othello. In each of these Shakespearian tragedies, the title character has an innate tragic flaw in their character that brings them down from great and powerful heights. While it may have been JEALOUSY with Othello or LUST FOR POWER with Macbeth, with Nixon it seems to always be the need for REVENGE on his enemies (real or imagined): those people that look down on him as socially or intellectually unworthy to hold power. With this movie, Ron Howard has expertly introduced us to a new type of "courtroom drama." But, this "courtroom" takes the form of a series of TV interviews. The parties present their own arguments, and we are the jury. Howard effectively uses extreme close up shots to tighten the space and heighten the interpersonal drama. With his skill, Howard draws us into the drama and barely gives time to blink. Both my wife and I left the movie emotionally drained but dramatically fulfilled.

Kirpianuscus the tension is its great virtue. the tension of dialogue and the tension of acting. the memories of the viewer about Nixon administration and its end and the remarkable way for become the American president of Frank Langella. it is a story about truth. and about a man looking to save his thoughts more than his public image. a duel who, more important than the revelation about facts from the backstage represents the meet from two admirable actors who recreate not only a battle but discover the force, the tools, the strategies and the patience, the challenges and the mix between two different visions about duty, errors, fundamental decisions. and about the other. a slice of history. or a moral lesson. Frost/Nixon is both.and, maybe more important, one of films who redefine the role of cinema.

Filipe Neto About President Nixon there are several good films. It was indeed a man that marked American politics. But this film does not focus on the figure of the president but the former president, a man devoured by power. The series of interviews that the film recreates really existed and may not be wrong to consider that it was a great work of journalism at the time. The film will certainly please those who know well the issues that marked Nixon's presidency, in particular the Watergate scandal. Otherwise, its difficult for a viewer to understand what they are talking about, mainly because the film does not give further details.Despite this note of caution to the public, this film remains interesting from two points of view: firstly, because it makes a good recreation of the "making-off" of those interviews and the people involved (Frost and Nixon, in particular). The likelihood is huge and the historical truth was quite respected. Second, because the film gives us probably the best cinematic interpretation of Nixon achieved to date, by the skillful hands of Frank Langella. This actor was in fact a total surprise. He has had a quiet career, but consistent and growing over the years. Michael Sheen, who played the journalist and presenter David Frost, did not surprise me much. He had already made good performances in other similar historical films such as "The Queen", which gave life to Tony Blair.Finally, Langella reached stardom in a movie worthy of his participation and talent.