Release Date: 4/21/2009 Original Release: 2008 Format: DVD Rating:R (MPAA) Rating Reason: for some language UPC: 025195016919 Studio: Universal Studios Home Video
Enemies, Rivalry, Politics, Scams And Cons, True Story, Injustice, Social Issues, Recommended, Character Study, Period Piece, Showbiz, Corruption, Scandal, Political, Historical, Behind The Scenes, 1970s, Interviews
Description
The power of television, and one man's drive to achieve what seems like, at times, an impossible dream, are the two central themes explored in Ron Howard's enthralling drama FROST/NIXON. The impossible dream belongs to David Frost (Michael Sheen), a moderately successful English talk show host who set out to interview disgraced former president Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) following his resignation in 1974. Howard examines how Frost pulled off such an audacious achievement, and also looks at how both sides prepared for the series of interviews, which eventually transpired in 1977. The confrontation between the two is laced with tension, and the director makes it clear that both men had plenty to lose and a lot to gain, depending on who the public perceived to be in control.
Langella gives a supreme performance as Nixon, easily matching Anthony Hopkins's turn as the former president in Oliver Stone's NIXON (1995). Howard's film, which is based on the play of the same name by Peter Morgan, expertly pits the two men against one another by highlighting both their strengths and weaknesses. Frost was a consummate TV host but was out of his depth in political commentary; Nixon was highly adept at avoiding direct answers to Frost's questions, but couldn't mask his sullen facial expressions from the camera. Sheen and Langella are supported by a resolutely excellent cast, and the tension builds to almost unbearable levels as the two finally sit down and discuss Nixon's career. The key scene, in which Nixon's true feelings are exposed via a simple trick--a close-up shot of the former president's sad-eyed face, clearly indicating his deep unhappiness at all his failings--is adeptly handled by Howard, and serves to highlight how vital it is for politicians to perform under the unforgiving gaze of the media.
DVD Features
Region [unknown] Keep Case Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English, French, Spanish Subtitles - English, SDH, French, Spanish Additional Release Material: Deleted Scenes Audio Commentary: Director Ron Howard Featurette: 1. The Making of Frost/Nixon 2. The Real Interview 3. The Nixon Library
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I'm not one to sit down and watch a political drama such as this one, therefore I have not seen the original Watergate Interviews this film is based upon. I am also not old enough to remember... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
Posted on March 6, 2009
Reviewed by: Lloyd
I was not too enthusiastic to see this movie but I found a movie theater in culver city that shows first run movies for 5 dollars, after the movie has been out for about 2 weeks.
I... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
Posted on January 25, 2009
Reviewed by: Movie Addict
As I look down the list of Ron Howard films, I find one guilty pleasure (Ransom), but nothing that equals the achievement of this film. With Frost/Nixon, Howard has joined the ranks of the great... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
Posted on August 6, 2009
