by Anne Hatcher

Created on: January 30, 2009

In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I wasn't very politically aware when British talk show host David Frost took former President Richard Nixon to task (and ultimately to the woodshed) during a series of television interviews in 1977. When the interviews aired, I was still at a stage in my life when I responded to new people by peeing on them and screaming. My point is, I don't have firsthand knowledge of the events depicted in Frost/Nixon. I'm not sure if that makes me a better choice to review the film, or a worse one; either way, there it is.

Now, on to the flick. The Ron Howard-helmed adaptation of Peter Morgan's play has its share of flaws, but it more than justifies a trip to your local cineplex. The performances alone make the film worth seeing. While you might find yourself wishing you'd brought a few sudoku puzzles during the plodding first act, there's something wrong with you if you aren't sufficiently thrilled by the third.

F/N begins with a montage of news footage, interspersed with mockumentary-syle talking head interviews that fill us in on the backstory: the details of the infamous Watergate scandal, Nixon's resignation and his full pardon from Gerald Ford. When we meet the disgraced ex-president (Frank Langella), he's about to undertake what looks like an impossible attempt to salvage his reputation. At his side is his stalwart strategist (and prime candidate for proctological stick removal) Col. Jack Brennan (Kevin Bacon). When talk show host David Frost (Michael Sheen) asks Nixon for an interview, Nixon sees a prime opportunity to remake his image in the eyes of the American public. Frost just sees an opportunity to capture the American fame that has so far eluded him.

But getting airtime isn't easy. His popularity in England isn't worth much stateside, and the networks aren't interested in broadcasting the interviews. When Frost decides to finance the interviews himself, the stakes quickly become higher than he ever imagined.

It's impossible to write about F/N without boxing metaphors, so let's get those out of the way. It's been called a "boxing film without the gloves," and that's as apt a description as any. Morgan (who adapted his play for the screen) and Howard play up the sparring angle whenever they see an opportunity - and they see lots of opportunities. The film is at its best when Frost and Nixon are trading verbal punches, occasionally retreating to their corners for advice from their "coaches": Brennan's got

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>