It's hard to imagine a film built out of a series of television interviews, but so deftly do director Ron Howard and writer Peter Morgan craft the 1977 conversations between David Frost and the impeached Richard Nixon that they take on the glorious aspect of swordplay.
The film is a duel, one where thrusts and parries are made through debate, and verbal crossfire has hardly ever seemed as fascinating.
Frost/Nixon is a tremendous achievement in filmmaking -- especially when you consider that the original interviews, even dramatized, aren't quite as magical as the film wants you to believe.
The film also offers a masterclass in acting, with combatants Frank Langella and Michael Sheen slugging it out beautifully, taking on each other like veteran gunslingers. Believe it or not, this really is one of the year's most thrilling films.
Text: Raja Sen
Also Read: Oscar Nominee Spotlight: Frank Langella
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