Frost/Nixon 7

A nicely done theatrical piece, more than a movie – and I’m not sure how well it relates to actual history. Frank Langella’s portrayal of Tricky Dick was superb, but even with all the layers he conveyed, one felt it didn’t come close to plumbing the actual depths of Nixon’s character. What really drove the man, and how could someone who hated people become such a successful politician? I found Michael Sheen’s David Frost overly fluffy and the climactic showdown unconvincing at best – what really happened? – but I did like the eye candy that Rebecca Hall provided throughout. The filmmakers’ lack of trust in the audience – or were they just concerned that a younger generation would have no idea what this was all about? – was epitomized when Nixon made the slip of arguing that the President is above the law. Not content with showing Nixon’s face slip, or lingering silently on Frost’s amazed countenance, they cut away to show Nixon’s backup team groaning and holding their heads for emphasis. Where the film succeeded best was in mixing actual footage with the acting, largely through the device of “interviewing” the characters in postscript fashion, with their hair shorter and years apparently added.

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