Frost/Nixon Review

When I see a biopic I always ask, “Is this how it really went down?” In “Frost/Nixon” I vowed to renew my membership to the Museum of TV and Radio so I can watch the actual interviews. Also want to listen to as many of the Nixon Whitehouse tapes as possible. I want to do all this because I need more information on this event and the people involved, because this was a very good film. Ron Howard takes some heat in nerd circles from time to time, but I like what he does. I like how he captures the humanity behind real people and events like in “Cinderella Man.” Some didn’t like that film but I did. Real life story of depression era guy slugging his way up the ladder so his kids don’t starve. Love it. Now he gives me Limey TV Host scared fame has past him by so he puts it all on the line to interview the most notorious President of the last 100 years. You betcha! (wink) Never before has someone brought to light the complexities of Richard Nixon like Frank Langella. It was mesmerizing watching him on screen. I truly believed he was doing the most accurate and human portrayal of a President who normally gets reduced to SNL type sketchery. (I’m sure “sketchery” is not a word but who cares on the internet) The paranoid competitiveness was stunning. Langella should get an Oscar nod. He is always fun to watch. Michael Sheen is great as the scared showbiz hustler who gives the impression that his glitzy lifestyle is over mortgaged and the bank is calling. I loved him as English PM Tony Blair in “The Queen”. He is even better in this film. He is also surrounded by Sam Rockwell, who is always good, and funny Oliver Platt. Don’t forget Kevin Bacon and his steely eyed portrayal of the ex-military Nixon aide, who loathes any and all non-Nixon lovers. Everyone in it is good. Howard knows how to assemble a team to make a picture. And for that I, as a film nerd, am grateful. PALM STRIKE your way past the pile of free “Delgo” DVDs that are being handed out at the Cineplex and see “Frost/Nixon.” Graham Elwood