Frost/Nixon provides solid characters, but is light on the dramatics

"Frost/Nixon"
Starring: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Sam Rockwell, Oliver Platt, Kevin Bacon, Rebecca Hall
***/****

Ron Howard is a likeable director known for connecting with audiences; he makes relatable films that usually include real life stories and forgotten characters. His filmography includes such films as, "Apollo 13," A Beautiful Mind," and "Cinderella Man."

With "Frost/Nixon," Howard re-creates the interviews between playboy talk-show host David Frost, and legendary President Richard Nixon. The film was adapted from a play, in which both actors, Michael Sheen and Frank Langella, orginally portrayed their respected characters.

Having never seen the play, I can only assume that Ron Howard felt enthused by the idea of having more liberties and freedom by having shown this story on the screen rather than the stage. With that being said, the film plays like a standard history lesson.

Michael Sheen plays David Frost, a highly regarded TV personality in Britain, Frost schemes along with a few researchers to interview Richard Nixon after his initial resignation. Frost's crew are played by strong character actors such as Sam Rockwell and Oliver Platt, both whom would love to make Nixon confess to covering up Watergate.

Now to Frank Langella, an aging and overlooked actor who has never garnered the attention for a performance until this film. Langella's re-creation of sorts is original and familiar. Langellas wears a droopy face, and tan skin giving off the recognizeable figure of "Tricky Dick." Langella will surely receive his fair share of award-circuit mention as he relishes this dream role. I also want to mention Kevin Bacon, who plays one of Nixon's key advisors, Bacon is one of those past leading men, who have come to accept and thrive in supporting roles.

The film plays like a boxing match, in which both characters try to gain the upperhand through a series of taped interviews. Sheen has the right amount of charisma and charm to play off of the complicated and layered character of Nixon, these two make a solid on-screen pair.

With a few things holding this back from being great, "Frost/Nixon," remains a solid re-creating of history, where once again Ron Howard has proved to be on of the most consistent working directors.