"Frost/Nixon" is the kind of film that could have floundered with less experienced directors, but with Ron Howard's deft directorial touch, it's a film that just builds and builds to a truly effective climax in this "David vs. Goliath" confrontation between entertainer/show host David Frost and then recently resigned Pres. Nixon, and provides enough denouement to satisfy audiences.
The screenplay does a good job of fleshing out Frost's uphill challenge in making this "almost-didn-t happen" interview happen in the first place, and then like a good heavyweight fight, where the participants use words and research to land their blows and punches, the 4-round fight/interview is almost lost from the get-go as Nixon's experience threatens to overwhelm Frost's lack of journalistic grit and serious interviewing credentials.
The supporting cast is uniformily good, but Frank Langella does own the role of Nixon (total Oscar shoo-in for Best Actor nomination), and Michael Sheen pulls his weight as David Frost, providing just enough "devil may care" attitude above the waterline, but furiously paddling underneath the waterline like a duck trying to get somewhere fast but with aplomb. It'd be good to see Sheen rewarded with a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his work in the film as well.
I give it 3.75 stars, or a grade of A-.
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