Frost/Nixon (2008)

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers:

Peter Morgan (screenplay)
Peter Morgan (play)

Release Date:

23 January 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History

Tagline:

400 million people were waiting for the truth.

Plot:

A dramatic retelling of the post-Watergate television interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former president Richard Nixon.

Plot Keywords:

Interview | Watergate | David Frost | Richard Nixon | Scandal

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 36 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sat. Nov. 28

9:00 AM

MAX

Cast

Frank Langella	...	Richard Nixon
Michael Sheen	...	David Frost
Sam Rockwell	...	James Reston, Jr.
Kevin Bacon	...	Jack Brennan
Matthew Macfadyen	...	John Birt
Oliver Platt	...	Bob Zelnick
Rebecca Hall	...	Caroline Cushing
Toby Jones	...	Swifty Lazar
Andy Milder	...	Frank Gannon
Kate Jennings Grant	...	Diane Sawyer
Gabriel Jarret	...	Ken Khachigian
Jim Meskimen	...	Ray Price
Patty McCormack	...	Pat Nixon
Geoffrey Blake	...	Interview Director
Clint Howard	...	Lloyd Davis

Also Known As:

Frost/Nixon, l'heure de vérité (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for some language.

Runtime:

122 min

Country:

USA | UK | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #44159) | UK:15 | Australia:M | Ireland:PG | Finland:K-11 | Norway:11 | South Korea:12 | Netherlands:12 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Czech Republic:15 | Germany:6 | New Zealand:M | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Portugal:M/12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Sweden:7 | Singapore:NC-16 | Argentina:Atp | Brazil:12 | Denmark:11 | Austria:6 | France:U | Iceland:12 (theatrical rating) | Iceland:7 (video rating) | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating) | Peru:PT

Filming Locations:

Beverly Hilton Hotel - 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

In 1977, the year of the actual David Frost and Richard Nixon interviews, Ron Howard was directing his first feature film, Grand Theft Auto (1977).

Goofs:

Factual errors: After the third interview with Nixon on March 28 1977, Frost mentions that it is his birthday. However, Frost's birthday is in fact almost two weeks later; April 7.

Quotes:

Richard Nixon: You know those parties of yours, the ones I read about in the newspapers. Do you actually enjoy those?
David Frost: Of course.
Richard Nixon: You have no idea how fortunate that makes you, liking people. Being liked. Having that facility. That lightness, that charm. I don't have it, I never did.

Movie Connections:

References "Little House on the Prairie" (1974)

Soundtrack:

Main Title from 'Victory at Sea'

Not to be missed! Vey rewarding

I had the pleasure of watching this gripping movie at the opening night of the British Film festival. Ron Howard's direction and story telling ability are in top form with this effort. From the very first scene a carefully crafted and very credible 70s's atmosphere sets a solid stage for the superbly cast film and quickly transports the viewer into the political jungle that was "Tricky Dickey's" playground.

The acting duo of Frank Langella & Micheal Sheen (Nixon & Frost) are set on a collision course that finds two deeply passionate personalities at the mercy of their insatiable desires. Both actor's portrayals are a study of affectation and body language, pleasurably accurate and yet not simply an impersonation. Indeed, the film never strays from the distinct Howard format that breathes so much life (read intimacy) into this familiar and yet mysterious relationship that exists for so many people who lived through the exceptional event.

Make no mistake, this is by no means a two man show, quite the contrary. In fact, the wealth of supporting roles is perhaps the finest feature of this production. Bacon's devoted and stalwart marine practically glints of gun metal and polished shoe leather. The trio of Gould, Platt and Rockwell portray effortlessly the roles of the men who, brick by brick, constructed the platform from which Frost so successfully and serendipitously elicited one of the greatest unspoken confessions of all time. Rebecca Hall is delicious and demure, constantly filling scenes with her elegant presence.

Perhaps the richest praise should be reserved for Peter Morgan, who has, without question, penned a truly captivating and insightful story that delivers not only a satisfying comprehension of a complex time in US history, but captures a generation's struggle to come to terms with the frailty of leadership that still echoes today.

Not to be missed, this film can be enjoyed on multiple levels and will undoubtedly be regarded as seminal for it's engrossing insight and expert depiction.