FROST/NIXON-
Wa wa wee wa. This wasn't supposed to be one of the best movies of the year. Buttt it is. Set in the 70's, it's the story of the interviews TV host David Frost (underrated Michael Sheen) conducted with resigned ex-President Richard Nixon (Frank Langella). What began as a series of puffball chat shows became the trial the hastily-pardoned Nixon never had. If you're an actor, see it solely for Langella's performance, which will enter cinematic immortality. The classic scene where Nixon drunk-dials Frost to intimidate him shows shadings of his lonely soul and stinging self-revulsion-one of the most complex and richly acted moments in movie history. Sam Rockwell, Oliver Platt, and Matthew MacFayden all give great performances as Frost's assistants. But Kevin Bacon (yes, Ren McCormick gets all up in dat political bizness o.0) is the one who should get some Oscar love as Jack Brennan, Nixon's assistant. Bacon makes us see the twisted motivation Brennan had in aiding a man viewed by many as a modern monster-to him, Nixon back in office would mean the rebirth of a conservative crackdown era in which he would have both status and place. Ron Howardd directs with palm-sweating intensity and a keen eye for human drama. The score and production values astound. All-in-all, it's a credit to the film's brilliance that you both love and loathe EVERY single character at different points in the film. This may be the best adaptation of a Broadway play in movie history. A.
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD-
Get a deep cut, sprinkle it with salt, dive headfirst into pie grinder. That's the kind of pain you can expect to feel in Revolutionary Road. The Wheelers (Leo and Kate reunited!) are married couple who hate each other with the relish you can only get at the movies. Frank has given up on his dream, content and happy with kids and a high-paying job. His wife April silently hates him for it. April won't give up her dreams of acting and traveling, and is always looking for a way out. Frank silently hates her for it. Throw in a dinner with a neighbor's lunatic son (Michael Shannon) who can see these truths, and the hates start to voice themselves. That's all the plot there is. What director Sam Mendes smartly does is make you side with a character very early on (I personally sided with Frank), so that when they are hurt it's all the more devastating. Whatever side you took, you picked a losing one-the film ends in an orgy of bloodshed, law-breaking, and bitter self-destruction that both characters end up crushingly unhappy. Oh, and then there is the lunatic son played to creepy perfection by Shannon. "Thank God I'm not your kids. You know, the ones you don't love?", he spouts out of the side of his mouth, drooling and cackling like a 1950's-model Joker. It's scary as hell. So ultimately...the acting is good....production is good....very well-done movie...sharp script that will weigh in your mind after you see it...but the whole thing is so depressing, nihilistic, and bluntly hateful towards its audience, I haven't a clue why anyone would WANT to see it. NO GRADE for this one. It's a well-made movie that's excruciating to watch. I can't say whether or not it's worth your time, because I haven't a clue.
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