Review of Frost/Nixon (2008) by Hanneguacamole — 03 Jul 2015

Frost/Nixon is quickly established as historical and (at least tries to be) accurate. What we're seeing is the story of David Frost and Richard Nixon's epic duel unfold right before our eyes.

Nixon is our former president, and even though he's a really sleazy guy, he still really has the upper hand in these negotiations and even in the interviews. Nixon's been through all this before and Frost is just a foreigner that nobody even takes seriously. Of course we know how the movie's going to end, because even without prior knowledge, there's really only one plausible outcome. We know Nixon's getting sacked, but that doesn't stop the racing drama and race against the clock to prepare for these interviews and end out on top, not only with repuatation, but with high financial stakes as well.

"Success in America is unlike success anywhere else." Frost is perhaps just an ambitious guy that had the skills he needed to give Nixon a run for his money, but the so colorful and almost simplified settings throughout give a hint of disconnection from reality. Just as these interviews are portions of their lives – all shown on a two dimensional television screen for the world to see. Reduced to the face shot. A distorted face muttering the words "When the president does it, that means it's not illegal." Iconic. Unforgettable.

This "duel" was intense and heated by every sense of the word, but some aspects seemed to drone on, much like Nixon's answers in the first 3 tapings. But of course what we remember is the success at the end, and I can hardly fault the movie for following its own advice and really pulling it out at the end despite the somewhat lagging middle. Frost/Nixon honestly left me feeling sorry for Nixon. I had sympathy for Nixon and the Watergate scandal. I think that's really the sign of a well-told story, because although I knew who I was cheering for (Frost), I was able to see both sides and realize that it's not a black and white game. Life is gray, much like the story.