Oscar Watch 7.0

Next up is the last installment in Best Picture nominees: "Frost/Nixon." In addition, perennial Hollywood favorite and all-around nice guy Ron Howard scored a Best Director nomination and Frank Langella a Best Actor nod.

This docudrama tells the story of British talk-show host David Frost's infamous televised interviews with newly-resigned President Richard Nixon. The story is told as if a documentary crew followed up with the folks involved in bringing the interviews to life. This method adds some intrigue to the already fascinating journey to make these interviews happen.

With all the circus-like coverage of Tricky Dick's White House departure, no one had gotten the former Commander in Chief to confess his actual wrongdoing or apologize to a cynical nation and David Frost sees a gold mine in being the first to get it done. Mr. Frost is played with a twinkling eye and unerlying wit by Michael Sheen. He truly embodies a radiant energy and turns in a layered performance. The bond he forms with Richard Nixon, purely by accident and to his surprise, is brought to life by strong acting on his part.

Frank Langella does a great job as Richard M. Nixon, showing a symapthetic side to the much maligned historical figure. He won the Tony Award for this perfomance on Broadway, in the stage play upon which the film is based. Having been a baby when this played out in real life, I don't remember the actual events. (President Nixon resigned the day I was born. Literally.)

I do know that this story has been fictionalized and much dramatic license taken. But I do not care. It is suspenseful in a much different way from an action film and allows you to see layers of a character usually thought of in one-dimensional tones. In the end, Richard Nixon was a lonely and confused old man who had poor social skills. Does that excuse his inexcusable actions? Of course not. Does it make him human? Yes.

Is this movie worthy of all the praise heaped upon it? I'd say it is. It is not for everyone. But if you like history made into movies, this is a good one. I doubt it will take home any big prizes on Oscar night, but it's well-acted and well-directed and touches upon a story not everyone remembers.

And it is a story worth telling.