God, we never have time for full-blown reviews, it sucks, but here goes with our thought on “Frost/Nixon,” adding to some of the initial thoughts we had last week. The film is competent and serviceable and its bookends are excellent. The beginning makes one think Ron Howard should direct a documentary because the set-up, full of fast and popping documentary footage, sets a riveting stage and really pulls you in. But the film suffers from a slightly unthrilling mid-section on the way to the final duel/TV face off between David Frost (Michael Sheen) and Richard Nixon (Frank Langella).
As we mentioned last time, the film is essentially a boxing match, a duel, a face-off, but it’s sort of like David and Goliath with the little one pulling a fourth quarter rally to (yes, we’re mixing lots of metaphors) pull off the upset (this is no spoiler, you know your history). That upset is again rather engaging and the film picks up its brisk pace and sharp, classic nu-Hollywood economy in the third act, but the second act isn’t as engaging as it should be.
We just realized this one might be still under embargo? Though yes, lots of “thoughts” are already out there. But Variety’s not about to be blacklisted. We’ll end with this Frank Langella is good and the film is solid, but it’s no Oscar shoo-in. You’re never blown away by Langella, nor the film, though if the thespian gets nominated for this turn as the former President, the Oscar-clip they show will be his moment of defeat which is near-perfect for Langella… near-perfect.
The supporting cast is solid too with Kevin Bacon being particularly good. And lastly (we swear) it wont surprise us in the least if writer Peter Morgan gets a screenwriting nod, his script is taut and moves at a nice clip.