Today I saw Frost/Nixon, starring Michael Sheen and Frank Langella.
It's easy to see why this film is generating so much Oscar® buzz.
The story rewinds history to focus on the landmark interviews of Richard Nixon (Langella) following his resignation conducted by British talk show host David Frost (Sheen). We see more of Frost's side of the journey than we do Nixon's, but that makes the exchanges all the more compelling.
Adding spice to the story like a well-crafted meal are the excellent cast of supporting characters: Kevin Bacon as Nixon's adviser Jack Brennan, and on the Frost production team Matthew Macfadyen as John Birt, Sam Rockwell as James Reston, Jr. and Oliver Platt as Bob Zelnick. All do a magnificent job of conveying the tension surrounding both of their players' participation.
The weeks leading up to the interview are similar to what one would picture as training for a boxer preparing for a fight. There's discussion of tactics (moves) and some obvious hitting below the belt once the two are in the ring.
The dialogue is smart, funny and—even if not verbatim to the actual events—entertaining. The sense of empathy you're made feel for the former fallen President is shocking, but not unwelcome. In rooting for Frost (as the script so desperately asks you to), you can't help but respect the authenticity of Nixon's convictions.
All in all it was a brilliant, blood-pumping spotlight into an intersection of politics and entertainment that may never be repeated. And in this sea of tear-jerking films that are showing this season, that's pretty satisfying.
Showing posts with label Frank Langella. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frank Langella. Show all posts
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Starting Out in the Evening
Today I saw Starting Out in the Evening, starring Frank Langella and Lauren Ambrose.
The narrative takes us into the lives of washed-up novelist Leonard Shiller (Langella) and righteous graduate student Heather Wolf (Ambrose). Her mission seems to be resurrecting his career, while his goal is simply to finish his final book before dying. He is a senior citizen with heart problems; she is a twentysomething with a hungry heart.
It's inevitable that in the course of her spending time with him to complete her thesis (based on him) that these two will develop a chemistry. Thankfully, they do. It's what saves this film from being a completely predictable starry-eyed-girl-wants-crotchety-old-man bore.
Although Heather is slightly too righteous to be endearing, there are so many real people like her, I could look past her irritating nature. What's also great is the subplot of Leonard's daughter Ariel (played by the amazing Lili Taylor—Ambrose's former Six Feet Under co-star) and her inability to have a successful relationship.
The thing is, all of these characters seem to be making the choices they need to make for themselves as their lives intersect. Heather is persistent in her quest for information from Leonard (and in her sexual attraction to him), Leonard will only talk about the topics of his choosing and fights to focus on his writing. Ariel wrestles with feelings for two men in her life; neither who share her desire to have children.
These simple, yet interesting situations are all presented in a well-acted, well-written package with believable dialogue and character progression.
I'll confess to being alternately touched and disgusted by Leonard and Heather's love story, but I can't help but admit it felt real.
I also wouldn't be surprised if Langella and/or Taylor were nominated for their performances.
Nor would I be sorry if they won.
The narrative takes us into the lives of washed-up novelist Leonard Shiller (Langella) and righteous graduate student Heather Wolf (Ambrose). Her mission seems to be resurrecting his career, while his goal is simply to finish his final book before dying. He is a senior citizen with heart problems; she is a twentysomething with a hungry heart.
It's inevitable that in the course of her spending time with him to complete her thesis (based on him) that these two will develop a chemistry. Thankfully, they do. It's what saves this film from being a completely predictable starry-eyed-girl-wants-crotchety-old-man bore.
Although Heather is slightly too righteous to be endearing, there are so many real people like her, I could look past her irritating nature. What's also great is the subplot of Leonard's daughter Ariel (played by the amazing Lili Taylor—Ambrose's former Six Feet Under co-star) and her inability to have a successful relationship.
The thing is, all of these characters seem to be making the choices they need to make for themselves as their lives intersect. Heather is persistent in her quest for information from Leonard (and in her sexual attraction to him), Leonard will only talk about the topics of his choosing and fights to focus on his writing. Ariel wrestles with feelings for two men in her life; neither who share her desire to have children.
These simple, yet interesting situations are all presented in a well-acted, well-written package with believable dialogue and character progression.
I'll confess to being alternately touched and disgusted by Leonard and Heather's love story, but I can't help but admit it felt real.
I also wouldn't be surprised if Langella and/or Taylor were nominated for their performances.
Nor would I be sorry if they won.
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