21
2009
When the President does it, it’s not illegal: A Frost/Nixon Revelation
posted by Landon Cassman at 4:13 pm.
Howdy Y’all. Academy Awards countdown is down to the last day. One film up for the nomination of Best Picture is the based on true events Frost/Nixon.
Now, when I first saw this trailer I didn’t think it looked good. My reason: that guy looks nothing like Richard Nixon. The filmmakers could have easily added a more menacing nose and a better makeup job, but they chose not to and instead focused on the humanity and personality of the only president to resign. I was pleasantly surprised by what I was able to take from the film.
The film takes place several years after the disgraced president resigned from office due to allegations related to the Watergate scandal. It shows how the interviews between Nixon and Frost took place, and what each of the two was hoping to attain from the television special. Nixon wanted to redeem himself, and Frost wanted to be the one who would get an apology out of the president. Both come out of the interviews feeling like they had gained something, and nobody really loses in the situation.
Frost/Nixon paints a real portrait of someone who is looked down upon across the nation, and who has to live with the guilt of taking advantage of his powerful position. Just think. There used to be corrupt politicians in the 1970s. Weird to think about right? Nothing like today. Oh, wait, what’s up Blago? Who knows, maybe we’ll see a film documenting Blagojevich’s run on the talk show circuit, and have him finally apologize for being such an idiot. I feel bad for our former governor because it must feel terrible to have the country hate you. I would like to hear his side of the story, even though I wont believe him until he shows some remorse. Oh, and I forgot about George Bush. Georgie also had to break a few laws to get what he wanted for the good of the country, and took Nixon’s “it’s not illegal if the president does it” motto to heart. Many want to see him tried for his supposed crimes, and this film is able to show the side of a man who has made mistakes and knows that he has. Nixon is shown in a light in which we can feel for the guy, and understand the pain and regret that he must have felt up until his death.
Wow, okay I must apologize. This film is sadly not playing anywhere in the Champaign-Urbana area. I recommend that you find an alternative means of viewing the film, and definitely pick it up once it comes out for rent. I’m going to start doing a rating system to let you know how I feel about this movie. I give this film 4 out of 5 V for Victory signs as I board my airplane to take me away from the white house.
Landon Cassman: Through boredom and pure enjoyment I find myself always involved in either film or music related endeavors. This is one of them.
Comments
Landon (Landon) says:
(Posted February 22nd, 2009 at 3:16 pm)
Hey alan. yea, i’ve only seen the 12 angry men. when were those other films from? I’ll try to fit them into my schedule some time. Very busy. But that’s great about the sony meeting. Good luck
Lawrence Charles (Lawrence Charles) says:
(Posted February 22nd, 2009 at 5:12 pm)
Landon,
I was about your age when the Frost /Nixon interviews took place, but I don’t remeber it beng such a big deal at the time. the movie actuall made me feel a little sorry for Tricky Dick…….not too much though….good article.
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Landon Cassman
Through boredom and pure enjoyment I find myself always involved in either film or music related endeavors. This is one of them.
alan cassman (alan cassman) says:
(Posted February 22nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm)
hey , landon did you ever check out “the last angry man”; or “seven days in may” ” 12 angry men”; best of all “inherit the wind”….ala science vs.creationist thought; based on the scopes monkey trial……………your uncle……….alan ps im meeting w/ sony execs in a few weeks…………………….