Frost/Nixon (Howard, 2008)
#1
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Frost/Nixon (Howard, 2008)
tribute.ca synopsis:
IMDB
release date: Friday December 5, 2008
director: Ron Howard
studio: Universal Pictures
producer(s): Brian Grazer, Eric Fellner, Ron Howard, Tim Bevan
screenplay: Peter Morgan
cast: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Rebecca Hall, Toby Jones, Matthew Macfadyen, Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt, Sam Rockwell
Trailer here. Frank Langella won raves for his performance as Nixon in the stage version, so I'm definitely looking forward to this one.
For three years after being forced from office, U.S.
President Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) remained silent. But in summer 1977, the steely, cunning former commander-in-chief agreed to sit for one all-inclusive interview to confront the questions of his time in office and the Watergate scandal that ended his presidency. Nixon surprised everyone in selecting David Frost (Michael Sheen) as his televised confessor, intending to easily outfox the breezy British showman and secure a place in the hearts and minds of Americans.
Likewise, Frost's team harbored doubts about their boss' ability to hold his own. But as cameras rolled, a charged battle of wits resulted. Would Nixon evade questions of his role in one of the nation's greatest disgraces? Or would Frost confound critics and bravely demand accountability from the man who'd built a career out of stonewalling? Over the course of their encounter, each man would reveal his own insecurities, ego and reserves of dignity—ultimately setting aside posturing in a stunning display of unvarnished truth.
President Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) remained silent. But in summer 1977, the steely, cunning former commander-in-chief agreed to sit for one all-inclusive interview to confront the questions of his time in office and the Watergate scandal that ended his presidency. Nixon surprised everyone in selecting David Frost (Michael Sheen) as his televised confessor, intending to easily outfox the breezy British showman and secure a place in the hearts and minds of Americans.
Likewise, Frost's team harbored doubts about their boss' ability to hold his own. But as cameras rolled, a charged battle of wits resulted. Would Nixon evade questions of his role in one of the nation's greatest disgraces? Or would Frost confound critics and bravely demand accountability from the man who'd built a career out of stonewalling? Over the course of their encounter, each man would reveal his own insecurities, ego and reserves of dignity—ultimately setting aside posturing in a stunning display of unvarnished truth.
release date: Friday December 5, 2008
director: Ron Howard
studio: Universal Pictures
producer(s): Brian Grazer, Eric Fellner, Ron Howard, Tim Bevan
screenplay: Peter Morgan
cast: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Rebecca Hall, Toby Jones, Matthew Macfadyen, Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt, Sam Rockwell
Trailer here. Frank Langella won raves for his performance as Nixon in the stage version, so I'm definitely looking forward to this one.
#3
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I'm confident he'll be able to handle the material competently. Since it will be taken directly from the stage play, with the same primary actors who have lived in these roles on Broadway, all the film needs is a steady, experienced hand. I just hope Howard is able to resist indulging in the slick sentimentality that has bogged down many of his previous directorial efforts.
#6
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Could they please find an actor who looks somewhat like Richard Nixon the next time he is portrayed on the big screen!? I didn't buy it with Anthony Hopkins. And I certainly don't buy it with Frank Langella. Especially with him using his Sean Connery voice.
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#11
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Langella's comeback is something smoldering since Good Night and Good Luck, but I don't think he can match Anthony Hopkins' drunken post-election piano session when he pricelessly yells "COCKSUCKAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!" in Nixon.
#12
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Neither one of them can match Philip Baker Hall in Secret Honor.
#13
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#16
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Universal execs wanted Warren Beatty as Nixon. Also, why does this thread not come up in either Google or site searches?
#17
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2 things make me lukewarm about this film...Ron Howard directing and the fact that Frank Langella looks & talks nothing like Nixon.
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the best Nixon
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#23
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New York Magazine's Ten Greatest Movie Nixons.
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Except Dick wasn't crap (it was comedy gold) and neither was Dawson's Creek, really...
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Interested in seeing this. I wish I would have gotten to catch the play.
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my review/nitpicks[spoilers]
Everyone's fears about Ron Howard are in full display. One movie it reminds me of is Good Night and Good Luck, which does everything this movie tries, but with much more class, subtlety and style, at 1/4th of this budget...
Howard cheapens it, he doesn't respect the audience at all... the occasional voice-over narration, cuts to the actors being older, reminiscing about the events, sometimes as the action's occurring...every plot point is highlighted with thick marker, such as a voice-over or the generic music. Some of Nixon's behavior is just cartoonish, not to mention Kevin Bacon's entire performance... it all probably worked better as theater.
To me this is one of the big disappointments of the year. I would give it **.5/*****... it's watchable, better for less picky viewers, it just made me roll my eyes the whole way...
Everyone's fears about Ron Howard are in full display. One movie it reminds me of is Good Night and Good Luck, which does everything this movie tries, but with much more class, subtlety and style, at 1/4th of this budget...
Howard cheapens it, he doesn't respect the audience at all... the occasional voice-over narration, cuts to the actors being older, reminiscing about the events, sometimes as the action's occurring...every plot point is highlighted with thick marker, such as a voice-over or the generic music. Some of Nixon's behavior is just cartoonish, not to mention Kevin Bacon's entire performance... it all probably worked better as theater.
To me this is one of the big disappointments of the year. I would give it **.5/*****... it's watchable, better for less picky viewers, it just made me roll my eyes the whole way...
Last edited by CloverClover; 12-11-08 at 02:44 AM.