Frost / Nixon (2008)

3 out of 4

Starring: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Matthew Macfadyen, Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt, Sam Rockwell, Rebecca Hall, Toby Jones, Clint Howard

Director: Ron Howard

Time: 122 mins

Viewed: Mega Movies at Brunswick Square, East Brunswick, New Jersey

Well-made account of the famous interviews that British TV personality David Frost (Sheen) conducted with disgraced former US president Richard Nixon (Langella) back in 1977. While both initially look to further their own agendas (Frost with ratings success, Nixon to redeem himself in the public eye), the interviews turn into a grueling battle of wills. Langella is very good in acclaimed role, but so is Sheen (who portrayed British prime minister Tony Blair in The Queen) as the genial, charismatic host who slowly realizes he's in a tough fight. Reliable support from Bacon as Nixon's post-presidential chief of staff, and especially Rockwell and Platt as researchers Frost hires to dig deep into the Watergate scandal. For once, Ron Howard's usually pedestrian direction works well, getting out of the actors' way, but his predilection for casting brother Clint in minor roles is stretching nepotism a little too far.

(c) Joe Wong (1 February 2009)