Friday, December 26, 2008

Frost / Nixon - 3 1/2 stars

Of all the movies that opened on Christmas day, this has my favorite performance. Frank Langella as Richard Nixon. Incredible. I enjoyed every scene he was in. This may be my favorite presidential portrayal ever (my previous favorite was Bruce Greenwood in 13 Days). Michael Sheen is also good as David Frost.

In 1978 David Frost arranges an interview with Richard Nixon. This will be Nixon's first television interview since resigning the presidency. Nixon thinks Frost will be a pushover, and he is hoping to win back some support and respect so he can return to D.C. and get back into politics.

In a way, this movie is like a good courtroom drama. I'm remembering A Few Good Men, when Tom Cruise is taking on Jack Nicholson at the end. Nicholson is winning and has Cruise beaten until Cruise gets fired up and starts cornering Nicholson. In Frost / Nixon, Nixon has been winning the 'battle' of the interviews. When Frost asks him a difficult question, such as Nixon's choice to invade Cambodia, Nixon is able to answer in such a way that the people in the room who didn't vote for Nixon say they would vote for him now if given the chance.

Its no spoiler to say that by the end, Frost turns the tables and is able to corner Nixon. Nixon comes as close to an apology as he ever did. Its pretty exciting watching the progression from Frost getting his ass kicked by Tricky Dick to Frost hammering away at Nixon, leaving Nixon almost in tears. I really enjoyed this movie.

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