'Frost/Nixon' Captivates Young Viewers

SYRACUSE, N.Y., Dec. 19, 2008 -- The crowd erupted in laughter -- again. And for a split-second it felt like a screening of "Superbad," but clearly without McLovin. That's precisely what is so captivating about Ron Howard's new political drama "Frost/Nixon": It makes history accessible to a college audience, which is no mean feat.

"We talk to a lot of kids after they've seen the film," first assistant director Bill Connor said, "and a lot have said to us, 'I loved the picture. I never would have thought to walk into it initially, but I got interested in it and I came in and what a terrific movie it was.'"

Based on Play

"Frost/Nixon," based on the hit Broadway play of the same name, follows the 1977 interview-turned-boxing match between British TV host David Frost (Michael Sheen) and fallen President Richard Nixon (Frank Langella).

Many Syracuse students had never even heard of the Frost-Nixon interviews, let alone understood their significance. But it was in those interviews that Nixon finally took responsibility for Watergate and issued an apology.

The movie and Langella's performance are already generating a lot of Oscar buzz. But on the Syracuse University campus, "Frost/Nixon" held even more significance, as Langella and Connor were Syracuse alumni.

Every seat in the auditorium was filled for the advanced screening as Connor introduced the movie. Connor, an '89 grad, talked about working with Langella, a '59 grad.

"Honestly, my relationship with Frank on the set was a pretty stoic one," he said. "He had asked all the crew members to refer to him as 'Mr. President' and act as if he was president the entire time. So there was never really any downtime to talk to Frank about going down to Faegan's [a popular campus bar]," he said, laughing.

"Frost/Nixon" -- at more than 2 hours -- is a bit long and dialogue heavy. But that didn't seem to bother some students.

"I know this is a fictional representation," said sophomore broadcast journalism major David Farby, "but it gave me a look inside what was going through the mind of Richard Nixon. And that's really never been done before."

Viewers' Different Angles

Senior political philosophy major Drew Mitnick agreed. He came to the film with his two roommates, who were television, radio and film majors.

"I think we all came into it from a different angle," Mitnick said. "I was more interested in the politics side, and they were more interested in the film aspect of it. And we all really enjoyed it -- all three of us."

Although this is not the kind of movie that typically appeals to college students, it's finding an enthusiastic audience that's invigorated by the recent election.

Whitney Curtis, a senior public relations major, said she wasn't surprised that the film has attracted unexpected younger viewers -- she even checked out the interviews on YouTube before the screening.

"With the interest in politics and how that is becoming more important to people as every day goes on," she said, "I think that the younger generation is realizing and really enjoying becoming a part of that. So I really do think a lot of people will come out and see" the movie.

"Frost/Nixon" could also motivate some students to seek future careers in politics or journalism.

Finding a Scandal

"I definitely think it gives you some interest in the fact that, hey, you could break an amazing story," said Farby, the broadcast journalism major. "You never know what could happen. This was the biggest political scandal of all time."

Mitnick, the political philosophy major, said, "You think it's all about, 'Look at how people can abuse politics.' But it does inspire you. Because you see that there's a downside to it -- with an abuse of power potential -- but there's also the potential for people to do good."

Regardless of what students think of the movie, "Frost/Nixon" is causing a stir on campus.

"It does make me question what goes on now," Farby said. "Is what you're seeing what you're getting?"