Ron Howard hid his talent with his last directorial venture The Da Vinci Code very well. A clumsy adaptation of one of the biggest thrillers of our times, The Da Vinci Code, was inadequate to say the least.

Howard has more than made up for the mistakes of The Da Vinci Code with his latest offering - Frost/Nixon. Starring two lesser known and drastically underrated actors – Frank Langella and Michael Sheen, Frost/Nixon is one of the best films this year.

The film is about the famous Nixon Interviews conducted by British chat-show host David Frost in 1977, nearly three years after Nixon resigned over the Watergate Scandal. Nixon, at the time, was looking to publish his memoirs and re-enter public life after a self-exile of nearly two years. Frost, who had no prior experience in political journalism, needed brownie points and a massive hit to retain some popular, and not to mention, lucrative spots on American television. Attacking the most hated man in America (then) was the easiest way to win popularity and support. What he didn’t bargain for, was an incredibly prepared Nixon. In turn, what Nixon didn’t bargain for was an incredibly talented team of researchers Frost had. The film primarily revolves around the twelve days of the interviews.

There are two strains visible in Frost/Nixon, one of great restraint while dealing with an explosive political personality and event, and on the other hand, an all-out, unabashed experiment with form, where the ‘real’ and the interpreted come together beautifully.

The ascent of the film is gripping, something we don’t always expect out of political films, especially one like this, that hardly looks like a thriller, but is actually more intriguing than one.

The unexpected nature of the interviews that were to cover everything from Nixon the man to the controversial Watergate Scandal, is the highlight of the film. Starting from a conceited Frost’s crashing confidence, to the ultimate turn of tables, the film achieves everything from satisfaction to excitement, even though the outcome of the interviews is widely known.

Apart from this, Howard uses a clever way to make very subtle, almost non-existent links with the current state of US politics by framing the film is a documentary mode with the people involved in the Nixon Interviews being interviewed by an invisible director.

Apart from the structure of the film, it is the actors who contribute to its unique, understated nature. Oscar nominee Frank Langella as Nixon is great. He oozes authority, and charisma; one look at his maneuvers during the interview, and we know why Nixon got away so easy. While his political cunning is there for all to witness, Langella shows heart in his portrayal of the ageing, ultimately defeated, Nixon.

Michael Sheen as the he ever-smiling, flirtatious David Frost gives way to a falling star who needs to maintain his position in society despite life going quite awry thanks to one career decision. His transformation in the film can’t beat Langella’s, but it is still praiseworthy.

Between masterful filmmaking and delightful acting, Frost/Nixon is the most recommended film out of the Oscar Best Picture Nominees.

Other Oscar reviews:

The Reader
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Milk