FILM: Frost/Nixon

Peter Morgan, the writer of The Queen, adapted this from his own stage play, and again dramatises a true life event - this time the television interview between Richard Nixon and David Frost. Michael Sheen's Frost is not as accurate as his Tony Blair or his Kenneth Williams, but he gives the 70s TV playboy a realistic aura of arrogance masking lack of talent and passion. Frank Langela's Nixon is the more powerful performance - another mask of arrogance and defiance covering the rage and sadness at being the most hated man in America. The dramatised (ie. made up) scenes of negotiating the interview, and preparing for them like a mental duel are fascinating and funny. Where I get a little more uncomfortable is watching the re-enactment of the actual interviews. These scenes are undoubtedly gripping and tense, but they too are 'dramatised'. The wording and context has been manipulated for dramatic effect despite being on publis record and being seen by millions at the time. It seems a little dodgy to tamper with it. Still, its highly entertaining. [8/10]