Live Life Team
It’s been three years since one of America’s most controversial presidents has been forced out of his office but Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) hasn’t said a word. Yet. Its 1977 and Nixon agrees to do a series of interviews with David Frost (Michael Sheen). He needs the US$600,000 he charges for the interview and he’s confident he is smart enough not to fall into Frost’s journalistic traps.
Peter Morgan turned these famous interviews into a play first and now the movie. The story is gripping to say the very least and the battle of wits between Frost and Nixon keeps you hooked all the way. Both Sheen and Langella are really good and amazingly convincing but for me, it’s Langella who steals the show in this movie. His portrayal of Nixon makes you sympathise with Nixon despite everything.
I really enjoyed watching the briefs both Nixon and Frost receive from their advisors – each side trying to desperately warn of the cunning the other is likely to use. Kevin Bacon as Nixon’s protector; Sam Rockwell and Oliver Platt as the researchers who have all the paper evidence they need – all play their advisor roles really well.
Morgan’s screenplay has a good mix of political history and a personal look at both characters. This I thought was really good because even if you’re not entirely sure of Nixon’s background, the movie will give you a fair idea.
What I didn’t expect from the movie is for it to be so incredibly human, for lack of a better word. Hate them or love them, you can’t help but be moved to some sort of emotion by this movie, and I think apart from the brilliant screenplay, a lot of that credit goes to the realistic character portrayals by both lead actors.
