Last night I watched Ron Howard's new film Frost/Nixon, based on the play of the same name. I am not going to bother describing the story because it is your very background in the subject of Nixon-era US history that will determine whether or not you're going to enjoy the film.
So with that in mind...
Frank Langella as Richard Nixon is the best villainous performance ever committed to film. Forgot about last year's wicked Bardem and Day-Lewis performances, forget about this summer's Heath Ledger. Forget about Nazis and Zombies, about Aliens and Predators, about Darth Vader and Dr. No. Forget about Jaws, Hannibal Lector, Simba's uncle Scar and every other scary antagonist you've ever seen.
Richard Nixon is the greatest movie villain of all time.
My favorite part is how, during this period especially, Nixon was one of the most universally reviled people in the world and yet Langella still manages to depict a man fully in charge. Dictating the circumstances of his situation like a mafia don locked up in prison... Damn he's good. And on an unrelated note, Kevin Bacon is very good too.
yeah i'm really excited to see this!
ReplyDeleteyeah i'm really excited to see this!
ReplyDeleteDude that's like saying Adolf Hitler is the best "movie villain." That fool was a real, life villain first!
ReplyDeleteKevin Bacon sucks. I wish I was more degrees of separation from him.
ReplyDelete