Frost/Nixon

Name: Frost/Nixon
Genre: Drama, History
Released: December 5, 2008
Duration: 122 min
Rating: 80
Cast: Frank Langella, Kevin Bacon, Michael Sheen

2008

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 38 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 179 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 179 Ratings

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Frost/Nixon

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: December 5, 2008 | R

Starring: Frank Langella, Kevin Bacon, Michael Sheen

Summary: For three years after being forced from office, Nixon remained silent. But in summer 1977, the steely, cunning former commander-in-chief agreed to sit for one all-inclusive interview to confront the questions of his time in office and the Watergate scandal that ended his presidency. Nixon surprised everyone in selecting Frost as hisFor three years after being forced from office, Nixon remained silent. But in summer 1977, the steely, cunning former commander-in-chief agreed to sit for one all-inclusive interview to confront the questions of his time in office and the Watergate scandal that ended his presidency. Nixon surprised everyone in selecting Frost as his televised confessor, intending to easily outfox the breezy British showman and secure a place in the hearts and minds of Americans. Likewise, Frost's team harbored doubts about their boss' ability to hold his own. But as cameras rolled, a charged battle of wits resulted. Would Nixon evade questions of his role in one of the nation's greatest disgraces? Or would Frost confound critics and bravely demand accountability from the man who'd built a career out of stonewalling? Over the course of their encounter, each man would reveal his own insecurities, ego and reserves of dignity--ultimately setting aside posturing in a stunning display of unvarnished truth. [Universal Pictures]… Expand

Director: Ron Howard

Genre(s): Drama, History

Rating: R

Runtime: 122 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Claudia Puig

It's hard to imagine how a film built around one-on-one interviews could be entertaining, but Frost/Nixon could not be more enthralling. Read full review

100

Mick LaSalle

Morgan finds the right elements of action and character through which to make history leap off the page. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

The result is involving, engrossing cinema -- more thrilling, in fact, than Howard's "The Da Vinci Code" -- filmmaking of a type rarely seen anymore and sorely missed. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Howard has made a picture for grown-ups, a well-constructed entertainment that neither talks down to its audience nor congratulates it just for showing up. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Ultimately, Frost/Nixon may be stuck in time – but, oh, what a time it was. Read full review

Michael Phillips

Frost/Nixon is wholly absorbing. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

Despite the great care and research that went into the movie, Frost/Nixon pales in comparison to Oliver Stone's "Nixon" when it comes to humanizing the infamous leader. Read full review

SEE ALL 38 REVIEWS

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User Reviews

beingryanjude

Aug 25, 2014

A fascinating and refreshing look at Nixon post-Presidency. Langella and Sheen impeccably personify Nixon and Frost. Ron Howard is able to take Peter Morgan's stimulating screenplay and make a captivating historical drama.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RichardW.

Dec 26, 2008

Movie is even better than what was great stagecraft. Langella becomes Nixon through posture, intensity and visage with no apparent make-up help; Sheen is a marvel. Howard's winning direction captures the pathos, bathos and emotion.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

FullMetalWesker

Aug 7, 2012

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I have to admit, going in to watching this film, I was expecting this to be an above average movie about a semi-interesting event (Interesting mainly because of the time period) Going out however, I'd say this is now one of my favourite films of 2008, and, like another one of my favourite films of the same year, it's mostly down to the acting of the films 'main antagonist' in this case, Frank Lagella's superb performance as Richard Nixon. In almost every scene the man appears in (and there are a lot of them) my eyes were almost entirely focused on him. However, that said, his wasn't the only good performance; both Michael Sheen (as David Frost) and Kevin Bacon (as Jack Breenan, Nixon's minder) delivered good performances, and are some of the best I'd seen from them (though admittedly I haven't seen much from either actor)
Now, I know this film has a few inaccuracies with the real events, particularly the midnight phone scene between the title characters which apparently never happened. Some say things like this diminish the film, but to me, a movies first and most important function, is to entertain, and I think scenes like that add to the film, and I would actually say that the aforementioned scene was probably one of my favourites of the entire film,.
Anyway, I think I'd better stop now, I might end up like Nixon during the first interview and go on for hours if I don't xD But in short, I think it's a very good film, and one I recommend to almost anyone who's somewhat interested in either the topic, or just want to watch a drama that doesn't involve heinous amounts of gunfights and/or explosions.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

CRL

Aug 9, 2011

Generally there's no suspense in a movie where you already know the ending, but that's not true with Frost/Nixon. Not only does it take an interview and make it almost thrilling for two hours straight, but it also showcases great performances by all as well as a smart script and exceptionalGenerally there's no suspense in a movie where you already know the ending, but that's not true with Frost/Nixon. Not only does it take an interview and make it almost thrilling for two hours straight, but it also showcases great performances by all as well as a smart script and exceptional directing by Ron Howard.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

30Cents

Aug 9, 2015

What can be said here? This is the movie about David Frost and Richard Nixon's conflict why Nixon resigned from presidental office. So why did Nixon resign from office? He left because of the watergate scandal in 1974. Nixon was all over T.V and the world, this is where the reality talk showWhat can be said here? This is the movie about David Frost and Richard Nixon's conflict why Nixon resigned from presidental office. So why did Nixon resign from office? He left because of the watergate scandal in 1974. Nixon was all over T.V and the world, this is where the reality talk show host David Frost comes in. Frost paid Nixon $600,000 to be in the interview on a special T.V interview to speak to him live in front of millions of people, this was a lot to him back when he had accepted to be in the special interview.

Most of the performances in the movie are amongst the best in political drama; performances by Michael Sheen and Frank Langella add in to make the movie a joy ride. There are other amazing performances by Kevin Bacon, Sam Rockwell, and Oliver Platt as supporting actors. The movie takes it in a docudrama form with the characters describing the events that goes along in the movie as you watch it. The events are all well described accurately thanks to the well written screenplay and director Ron Howard's work on the film.

The film starts out with Nixon getting ready to tell the world that he is resigning from office. Millions and millions of people tuned into this speech where Nixon infamously said that he is resignging, but what they did not know is why he quit. British T.V host David Frost was one of those people who watched the presdient fly away in his helicopter to leave the white house forever. Frost comes up with a plan to get Nixon to say why he resigned from office, on world-wide T.V.

The film not only portrays David Frost and Richard Nixon so accurately, but it makes the audience feel for them. It is amazing how this interview was divided into four whole parts in such a span of time, being as it as, it is as if the interview was having difficulties getting over with. Nixon may have made a good decision with resigning, some disagree and thought he was afraid to say anything until he was cornered in the interview.

The film is a piece of work by director Ron Howard and the cast of the film. All the performances deserve to be memorable, Frost and Nixon were once notable, and still are today for being in the conflict they both had. Not only will they be remembered for the conflict, but they will be remembered for what they did. Frost being a popular talk show hose, and Nixon being the 37th U.S president. Even at the end, you will still wonder why Nixon chose to give up the once in a life time chance at being president, and what Frost did after the event.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Tyranian

Jan 13, 2020

Anchored by excellent lead performances, Frost/Nixon is one of Ron Howard's better films.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mar 10, 2009

Ignores a lot of what really transpired. Ignores Frost's own version of the events, and instead goes for a sentimentality instead of giving us a good narrative. Unfortunately, this is what people think of as history these days, twisted mediocre movies that barely tell the tale and Ignores a lot of what really transpired. Ignores Frost's own version of the events, and instead goes for a sentimentality instead of giving us a good narrative. Unfortunately, this is what people think of as history these days, twisted mediocre movies that barely tell the tale and never help us realize what the importance of an event was.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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