President Richard Nixon(Frank Langella) resigns from White House on August 9, 1974. Prior to leaving the White House, Nixon speaks on the TV. His departure from the White House is televised. The whole drama unfolding on the television catches the attention of David Frost(Michael Sheen). Frost is a successful talk show host who is well known for his playboy image.
Sensing an opportunity by looking at the number of people who were glued onto the TV during the time of resignation, Frost enlists John Birt(Matthew Macfayden), his friend and a TV producer, for arranging an TV interview with Nixon. Frost and Birt finally gets consent from Nixon to interview by offering $600,000. After Nixon agrees for the interview, Frost hires two investigators Bob Zelnick(Oliver Platt) and James Reston Jr(Sam Rockwell).
What follows is a fictionalized peek behind the scenes of the interview. Nixon with the support of Jack Brennan(Kevin Bacon) is a formidable adversary for Frost in front of the camera. But, in spite of this, Frost manages to televised confession from Nixon.
Ron Howard directs this movie which is based on a play of the same name by Peter Morgan. Ron gives the movie a feeling of reminiscence. He achieves this by having the actors playing Birt, Zelnick, Reston and Brennan talking to the camera as if in an interview. The actors have an older look now. These shots are interspersed within the actual movie and act as a good prop to heighten the drama.
Frank Langella gives a marvelous performance as Nixon. He is very good while going on rambling in between the interview to throw Frost off balance Michael Sheen supports Frank ably. The rest of cast is okay.
Watch this for the drama. But do not mistake this for history.
Language: English
Genre: Drama
Rating: ***
Picture Courtesy: Yahoo! Movies
Tags: Movies,Frank Langella,Michael Sheen, Matthew Macfayden,Oliver Platt,Sam Rockwell,Kevin Bacon,Ron Howard,Drama
this dvd is available at our video club, will get it soon, seems interesting from your review
ReplyDeleteYou have said not to mistake this one for history, so isn't this movie based on facts?
ReplyDeleteSeems very interesting.
@Sujata - Let me know after you have seen this.
ReplyDelete@Aparna - Yes. The movie is "based" on facts. The interview is real. But some claim Nixon's televised apology was a calculated move from his side. You see Frost fumbling in the initial interviews. But the actor(Michael Sheen) himself confesses, the fumbling and nervousness was part of the addition they did in order to heighten drama. That is why I said do not mistake this for history! :)