David 'Frosts' Nixon

This movie is about David Frost's famed TV interviews with publicly humiliated ex-president Richard Nixon in 1977. The agreed eight hours of interviews was spread over four days. Six hours were devoted to less controversial topics and the last twenty five percent was solely on Watergate.

Michael Sheen plays and captures the essence of David Frost, who comes across as a likeable talkshow host, who proves he is 'tougher than he looks' when it boils down to doing a hardcore politcal interview, rather than his usual more light-hearted enertainment chats.

Nixon would gain a hefty $600,000 and 10% of the profits no matter how he faired in the interviews, either recieving the absolution he wanted from the american public or simply recieving further public humiliation. However, Frost was putting his financial security and professional credibility on the line. He showed confidence and an entrapreneurial spirit in his risk taking. Through his stamina and strength, he stayed focused while he was not recieving any network support or sponsorship.

The four sets of interviews were more like battles or fights with both components sittting opposite each other in their armchairs, Frost in one corner and Nixon, confident yet sweating in the other. The two battle for the spotlight and success of the interviews. Either Nixon wins and is seen in a more flattering sympathetic presidential light, or Frost wins by getting something out of Nixon that the american public have been waiting for for over three years, an apology and admission of guilt. Im sure without me spoiling it, you can guess how this narrative story ends.

I really enjoyed the film and was pleasantly surprised and impressed at how the storywriter made the simple plot into a captivating account of what 'made' Frost an international name. Like always with true stories which are turned into films, there is always some embellishment. For example, the phone call from Nixon to Frost on the eve of the final interview and where Frost gives Nixon the Italian shoes as a gift.