What You Need to Know: Strip the score from "Frost/Nixon" and you will find a movie that lacks pacing and tempo; it would have been a feature that ultimately stalled out. In my opinion, Hans Zimmer's score held the fabric of the movie together and gave it a necessary bridge (and boost) from one scene to the next. I, for one, was surprised at just how vibrant the music was. After all, given the topic of the Frost/Nixon interviews that served as the basis of the film, one wouldn't have imagined too charismatic a score for this feature. I suppose that's where the creativity comes in!
"Frost/Nixon" plays well on CD but its true success can be found when heard in the film. There is a catchy rhythm to Zimmer's score that can best be appreciated as you're tuned into the movie itself. On the disc, it's merely nice, moderately enjoyable fare that makes for an easy listen. The keyboard motifs that keep the energy moving are easily the score's highlights while the moderate use of the orchestral elements make for a nice backdrop. It's always nice to hear Zimmer retreat to a more of a minimal style like he does here since I think a composer's talent is more on display in such situations.
The soundtrack does run a bit short, but given the type of material present on it, it would have been tough to stretch it further without letting a bit of repetition set in. That it bows out at 40 minutes is a good deal; it leaves the listener with a satisfying experience. If you really want to hear the best representation of this score, though, check out the movie to hear how well it works. I think in that context, this one's a winner.
