Apologies for digging up a nearly three-week old article – somehow this escaped my notice until now. Buried in Pete Hammond’s typically thorough Cannes review is this very positive aside about Ron Howard’s much-anticipated “Frost/Nixon:”
Howard could, and probably will, find himself in competition with Eastwood in the directing category. His funny, complicated and fascinating film (we’ve seen it – it’s completed but so far avoiding the fest circuit and bypassing election season) is brilliant, even matching his Oscar-winning “A Beautiful Mind.”
Frank Langella as Nixon and Michael Sheen as David Frost, the man who conducts a series of TV interviews with the former president, are equally superb re-creating their Broadway and West End triumphs. Both are best actor candidates unless the studio decides to try to squeeze one or the other into supporting, which really seems unlikely.
I wasn’t aware that cat had been let out of the bag on that prospect, but there you go. I admit I’ve been sceptical that Howard was the right man to realize Peter Morgan’s play, but if Hammond’s views are indicative of the critical reception to come, this could be a watershed film for him.
Hammond also echoes Kris’ prediction chart on the issue of category placement for the two leads – though if I were Michael Sheen, I’d find a way to wriggle into supporting, fast.
Comments
8 responses to “Hammond on ‘Frost/Nixon’”
I’m really looking forward to this one. I’ll be home from college for the holidays, and it’s one I plan on seeing. It’ll be great to see a wonderful Ron Howard movie again, considering he was my favorite director for a long time.
That, and I love Frank Langella.
Maybe it’s like another “Cinderella Man”, with only three nominations three years ago, and the film received decents reviews. I’m sorry but I have no faith to Howard, “A Beautiful Mind” is one of the most overracted Best Picture Winners at Oscars. Maybe I’m wrong… We only know the real answer at the end of the year
If it “matches” A Beautiful Mind then it probably won’t be any good to me. I think I might pass on this one.
“If it “matches†A Beautiful Mind then it probably won’t be any good to me. I think I might pass on this one.”
Ditto.
Yeah, I’m no great fan of “A Beautiful Mind” either. But this is a very different animal. Peter Morgan’s writing is high on dry wit and low on sentimentality, which is why I was puzzled that Ron Howard chose to direct this. However it turns out, he certainly can’t make this material cuddly.
Indeed, comparing it to “Mind” is not a good idea, only it is when the acting is equal or better.
I heard they showed the film around at Uni’s and campus-screenings for students. Complete with the music too, which I am really looking forward too. I mean, isn’t Zimmer like the last person you’d expect for a film such as this?
I think it’s genius. Bringing in a bunch of “serious” filmmakers for a comedy? Awesome. I’m there.
And I LOVED “A Beautiful Mind”. Everything about it.
[…] going to get something first. Although Ron Howard’s baity ‘Frost/Nixon’ hasn’t been kept that tightly under wraps, confirmation has arrived that the film will have its world premiere […]