Frost/Nixon

It is such a pleasure to go the movies this time of year and see movies that are intelligent and entertaining.  Frost/Nixon, directed by Ron Howard, is one of them.  Like Doubt, it is an adaptation of a play.  Like Milk, it dramatizes events in history, in this case a series of interviews of Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) by David Frost (Michael Sheen) in 1977 and the surrounding  events.  It is the role of a lifetime for Frank Langella and he creates a beautifully complex, nuanced Nixon, who is both very shrewd and smart, as well as pained and devious.  It is fascinating to watch him, and to see the world through his eyes.  Michael Sheen is wonderful as Frost, playing him with a lightness and determination that challenges and contrasts with Nixon.  The characters are well drawn, and the story is compelling.