Review: Frost/Nixon

Frost/Nixon is a film that is made perfectly for Oscar. All the technical aspects (Cinematography, Art Direction, Casting, Editing) are all top notch. The actors are supurb, with special kudos obviously to Frank Langella as Nixon, but I don’t think its as groundbreaking as some other think.

The thing about this film is, I watch it and I see no glaring fault. Though, after watching it one thing just keeps popping up: So what?

The story, which is adapted from writer Peter Morgan’s stage play with the same stars, is an account of the Frost/Nixon interviews in the late 70’s. The story (which takes some liberties with the actual history i.e. there was no girlfriend of Frost’s) is as good as it possibly could be. The thing is, the story they are trying to tell is innately un-interesting. There is nothing interesting about this story.

Taking this into account, how much do you fault the filmmakers and how much do you fault the fact that this part of history isn’t that interesting? It’s a little of both.

I don’t see the point of telling this story, what is the point they are trying to make? It’s not thrilling like some people say, I can’t understand what part could be.

Then there is the phone call between the two that is held late at night before the last interview which is so blatantly made up, and so unneeded in the story, but I assume this was their attempt to add some interesting elements.

Maybe it’s something I’m missing, but I can’t help but leave watching this film saying to myself:

So what?

Grade: C+ or ★★½ (Out of 5)