DVD Reviews

Frost/Nixon – DVD Review

By Jeff Swindoll Apr 16, 2009, 15:32 GMT

Two men are about to enter a televised arena. Both have their lives on the line. One is a seasoned political veteran hoping for a comeback and the other is a young, upstart hoping for fame and fortune.

Only one can emerge victorious and thus is the tale of David Frost versus Richard M. Nixon. Instead of facing impeachment because of the Watergate scandal, President Richard M. Nixon (Frank Langella) resigned. Some of the public was clamoring for a trial of the disgraced president, but his successor Gerald Ford grants him a full presidential pardon.

In Australia, David Frost (Michael Sheen) is watching television footage of Nixon resigning from the presidency. He asks for the ratings numbers on the news broadcast of Nixon leaving office he’s delighted to find out that 400 million people were watching. He approaches his friend and producer John Birt (Matthew Macfadyen) about interviewing Nixon. Nixon is convalescing in San Clemente, California and writing his memoirs. Literary agent “Swifty” Lazar (Toby Jones) has gotten Nixon a nice advance for the book and mentions that Frost is wanting to pay Nixon a nice amount for the interview. Birt and Frost fly across the pond to visit with the former president about the possibility of the interview when the playboy Frost meets the attractive Caroline Cushing (Rebecca Hall) and invites her to accompany him to meet Nixon. Frost has to write Nixon a check for the first portion of the interview fee and is feeling a bit unsure since he’s yet to secure the entire funds. Nixon’s chief of staff Jack Brennan (Kevin Bacon) doubts that Frost will be able to get the funding for the interview, but when Frost calls in many favors and gets the money Brennan sees it as an opportunity for damage control of Nixon’s legacy - not that Nixon doesn’t see it exactly the same way. Frost hires two investigators, reporter Bob Zelnick (Oliver Platt) and author James Reston, Jr. (Sam Rockwell), who begins digging into the Nixon presidency. Nixon and Frost begin the series of interviews and it looks like Nixon has the upper hand, until a late night phone call changes everything. I guess I’m a bit of a Nixon apologist. Not that I have much of a dog in the fight, but I mentioned in my review of Oliver Stone’s biopic that I didn’t feel that Nixon has been adequately portrayed. That’s not the party line as Nixon is usually reviled.

The Nixon on the special features (the real one) of Stone’s film didn’t match Anthony Hopkins' sweaty portrayal. It seems to me that when a chance to portray Nixon happens that we’re treated to the perceived vision of “Tricky Dick.” Nixon seemed to be a man crushed under the weight of the office and also his awkwardness and foibles. I had my doubts that the same wouldn’t happen with Frost/Nixon based on the trailer. Boy was I wrong. Frank Langella adds a human touch to Nixon that Hopkins’ parody seems to lack (though the Nixon/Frost trailer really doesn’t give that indication). Both lead actors really aren’t made up to look like either person they’re portraying, but they equally slip into the skin of their respective roles. If we were to stop the film after the third interview with Nixon we might wonder if Nixon held office again and think that Frost disappeared into the wild never to be heard from again. Interestingly, the opposite occurred with the last interview focusing on Watergate. Much has been made of the late night phone call, which is a fictional creation (I think?). It’s certainly a turning point as Frost is rather docile until that final interview. However, he rises and Nixon deflates. It’s almost as if Nixon rigged his own defeat due to self loathing. It’s an actor’s film and both duelers are at the top of their game. A fabulous film, even if you don’t have an interest in the history. The film is another example of an actor’s film as both lead roles are ones to covet. Langella’s portrayal of Nixon secured him an Oscar nomination, the film also got nods in best picture, adapted screenplay, director and editing, but no one won in their respective categories. Frost/Nixon is presented in anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions. Special features include a commentary by director Ron Howard. Next are 22 minutes of deleted scenes. The 23-minute “The Making of Frost/Nixon” is next. The 7-minute “The Real Interview” discusses the original interview and has excerpts from it. Finally, there’s a 6-minute look at the Nixon Presidential Library. Frost/Nixon is an excellent film that draws you in even if you’re not interested in the history behind it. What stands out is two actors at the top of their game (recreating their stage roles). It certainly is a career highlight in Langella’s case.

Unlike the Frost interviews both of our leads will walk away winners as they both prove they’re presidential in the acting department. Frost/Nixon is now available at Amazon. It is available for pre-order at AmazonUK for a May 18th release. Visit the DVD database for more information.

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Agustin Ignacio AgudoApr 20th, 2009 - 21:30:20

This is Agustin Ignacio from Madrid Spain. I only wanted to add up --in my humble opinion-- that Mr. Langella as Richard Nixon has made the most powerful, brilliant and memorable performance of the year in the maginificent thriller FROST/NIXON. Frank even surpassed in acting to the other nominated actors in the same category such as Sean Penn, Mickey Rourke, Richard Jenkins and Brad Pitt.

Therefore, the oscar-nominated Mr. Langella has woefully been ignored by the Hollywood academy when his portrayal of the former president Nixon was quite astonishing. Same to Michael Sheen as the journalist David Frost who was not even nominated for the oscar to 'best supporting actor'.

Nonetheless, both actors Langella and Sheen will forever be remembered by their formidable roles in a film destinated to be an instant classic!

Kudos,
Agustin Ignacio

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JwoodApr 21st, 2009 - 22:23:09

I really thought Frost/Nixon should have won at least one Oscar... Frank Langella makes such a great Nixon!

I'm also excited about the DVD coming out next week with the complete interviews with David Frost and President Nixon. It's great to have the actual historical context following a film like this.

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Alex RudmanMay 20th, 2009 - 22:20:56

There is a great companion piece to this Film. Frost/Nixon The complete interviews actually contains all of the original footage! Watching the David Frost masterfully interview one of the most infamous American figures of all time is fascinating. These interviews are such an Integral part of American history and too see them all these years later is really quite surreal. In the Watergate interview, Nixon shifts from a powerful man to a broken spirit and watching this transformation is both moving and hard to watch at the same time. Its available now. This is definite keeper for anyone's collection.

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Frost/Nixon – DVD Review

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