Barack Obama, an idea for change and hope, has now begun his tenure as America´s 44th President. George W Bush leaves office the unpopular. Former King Gyanendra Shah disappears in recluse as a normal citizen after his dynasty-rule collapses. [break] The abuse of power, corruption, impunity and instability grasps the Nepali political sphere more than ever. The sudden death of otherwise liked talk show host Indra Lohani creates a vacuum for a solid interviewer, and many such more.
Frost/Nixon is based on a true story, its script adapted from a theater production written by the same writer. The two-hour long production is an absorbing film, full of forceful performances and powerful moments. The movie grabs you from the very start with its words and wits, fighting an epic battle for truth, as the tagline of the movie suggests. And the power struggle continues until the end.It begins with the resignation of 37th American president Richard Nixon (played by truly amazing Frank Langella) from the White House in the wake of the Watergate scandal, who then goes into complete recluse from the public eye.
David Frost, a television playboy host played by Michael Sheen, thrives on public appearances and wants to cash in on what he is good at with more popularity and success. As Nixon leaves the White House, the idea pops into Frost´s head to interview him, because he believes that would mean doing something big. Frost slowly starts to gamble away his future, money, and everything he has earned so far for the sake of this one television interview.
The president decides he can easily outfox the breezy British showman, so he agrees to give an interview, risking further public humiliation. Of course, the perks could be beautiful with a fat paycheck of six hundred thousand dollars, with a certain per cent made on profit, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance for a political comeback through this “fluffy television interview”, setting the record straight with American citizens and trying to garner some sympathy.
The disgraced president with a legacy to save goes on to have the spar of his life with the jet-setting television personality, running after a name to make for himself. The interview turns into quite a duel, with Frost ending up beaten on his own turf from left, right and center. The whole sequence leading up to the interview is superbly presented with interesting characters surrounding Frost as his aides. The interview itself, as it begins, is fascinating. What was to be the “trial that Nixon never had” turns into quite the opposite, and becomes a platform for the ousted president to return to power, much sooner than he himself actually expected. Well, maybe not. The hero, Frost, comes back with one last jab. In due course, each man reveals his own weaknesses, insecurities, egos, poise and stubbornness, resulting to the end we all know.
However, how does a talk show host pin down the man who has built a career out of stonewalling? What would be worse than the public humiliation of an already disgraced man who was once the most powerful in the world? Director Ron Howard says out loud what happens next, but still manages to keep the audience on the edge of their seats to see exactly how it happens.
This provides a sparkling example how the word is mightier than the sword, or, in this case, some words mightier than the others. Statements, questions, remarks and answers are given on the spot, which is what makes this movie a splendid verbal display of power. Langella’s delivery adds essence to the whole discourse.
In one instance Nixon claims, “I´m saying that when the President does it; that means it´s NOT illegal!” It sends shivers down your spine as you can relate to it so much in present day politics and what is going on all around you. You ask yourself whether any politicians and “statesmen” think any other way. It makes you want to question your current leaders to see if they think otherwise.
Michael Sheen is good, but Frank Langella steals the show. Many critics see him as a possible nominee at the Oscars this year for his role in the movie. He is charismatic and yet something about him is not quite right. He is perfect for the role.
The sparring between Nixon and Frost is something to remember in the history of television, and Ron Howard has been successful in capturing it. The movie may not be as surreal as A Beautiful Mind, by the same director, but it is completely captivating. The screenplay is terrific, with acting performances nothing short of remarkable. Of course it no doubt helped that both Frank Langella and Michael Sheen were in the stage production of the same script that won Langella a Tony Award in 2007. The story and script is sharply written by Oscar-nominated Peter Morgan, who also wrote the scripts for films like The Last King of Scotland and The Queen.
At times, Frost/Nixon seems like a revisit to the 2005 George Clooney movie Good Night and Good Luck about journalist Edward R Murrow, and in a few ways, a revisit to the today’s politics and media. The beauty of this movie is that you don’t really have to understand Watergate, American history or even politics. It’s a simple face-off of an underdog-achiever and an achiever-underdog trying to get something out of this one interview.
The original battle-interview was televised in May 1977. Sir David Frost now talks to world leaders, thinkers, entertainers and newsmakers on ‘Frost Over the World’ on Al Jazeera English.
Casting: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Kevin Bacon
Director: Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, The Da Vinci Code)
Screenplay: Peter Morgan
Rating: 4/5
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