A Face in the Crowd
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Movie Reviews of A Face in the Crowd
Movie Review: Top-Shelf Classic Cinema!
Summary: 5 Stars
Andy Griffith, in his acting debut, certainly isn't the Andy Taylor we all love. Here, he plays "Lonesome" Rhodes, a charming drifter that catches the eye and fancy of Patricia O'Neil. She puts him on her radio station and he becomes a star. His folksy ways and "every man" personality is played to the hilt, taking along O'Neil, his ever-growing audience, and even a presidential candidate in his masquerade. Not too soon, "Lonesome" is revealed as what he is - not the Will Rogers that his public sees, but a power-mad snake oil salesman that is taking his followers with him. The viewer sees the act, as O'Neil eventually does, too, but in the meantime, Rhodes is remaking the image of Senator Worthington Fuller to make him the next president of the United States.
If you love classic b&w cinema, morality tales, or politics, this will soon be one of your all-time favorites.
It should be required viewing for all political candidates, their staff personnel, volunteers, and in every Civics class in America. The timeless message of people following a charismatic personality all the way to the Highest Office in the Land is as appropriate today as it was fifty years ago.
Various reviewers have compared the film to campaigns ranging from president-elect Obama to the radio programs of Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly.
Movie Review: Ironically Prophetic
Summary: 5 Stars
Originally conceived as a warning of what was to come--the confluence of politics, business, and entertainment all through the sights and sounds of television--/A Face In The Crowd/ was originally brushed off by critics and viewers in the 1950s because "it wasn't realistic" (plus some Hollywood politics and reverse blacklisting probably didn't help). Nowadays, this movie is heralded as being prophetic, and in the commentary the screenwriter talks about how he's stopped in the street and told how great this movie is because it describes how things are -now-. The most backhanded compliment one can give to a prophet is to ignore him and then tell him he's right.
Andy Griffith is /excellent/ as a nihilistic conman looking for number one, perhaps too much so. Mr. Griffith claims in his interview that he got far too deep into character, and that's probably why ever since he's played good old Mayberry sheriffs--he's essentially a good man who's seen what bad men are, and he's shied away from it. I can respect him for that. I'll just go on the record as saying that his performance here is so good, so visceral, so -real- that he would've had a hard time topping it as a dramatic actor, and indeed his later history as a 'welcome friend in the TV' only gives this movie just that much more power.
Movie Review: The First Andy Griffith Show
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are a big fan of the great TV series, "The Andy Griffith Show"(and who isn't), you might want to think twice about watching "A Face in the Crowd". This is NOT the same character. There is a brilliant mind behind the easy-going "ah shucks" delivery in each of the characters. However, the sheriff always does the right thing, while Lonesome the drifter seems to always do the wrong thing. Yet if you're a fan of the actor, Andy Griffith, you can't miss this movie; it's his best acting role bar none.
What makes "A Face in the Crowd" so impressive is its' foresight in understanding media, politics, and the ability of one to manipulate the other. After all, this movie was made in the mid-50's when the power of TV was little understood or appreciated. It may well have gotten reviews that ridiculed its' premise when it was released. Yet, seen today, it is an amazing study of how one man, with a willing media accomplice, can control public opinion. Griffith's evolution from a Saturday night drunk to one of THE most influencial persons in the county is brilliantly scripted and directed. In addition to Andy Griffith, there is a very worthy cast.
Most of us would love it if the world was like Mayberry. Unfortunately, "A Face in the Crowd" comes a lot closer to reality.
Movie Review: never seen Andy like this before
Summary: 5 Stars
This rarely screened Elia Kazan Production apparently met with very little fanfare during its original release, one must attribute this surprise response to the historical moments of the fifties/sixties.
Andy Griffith on screen power is a real raw treat and can thus easily disturb the viewer senses as they practically smell his stench from spending a night in jail or revolt from the rancorous odor of his breath after he takes, yet, another, swig from his whiskey bottle.
Griffith gives viewers an opportunity to see just about every emotion required of any actor, which, then allows you to acknowledge, how much of a great actor Mr Griffith really is.
The story line is certainly easy enough to follow and still remain complex as various overlapping interest begin to take hold.
This, now, all-star cast interweaves characters that help tell a story of what it take to achieve power in modern American politics.
Spike Lee calls it his all time favorite film and I am certainly not in a position to disagree.
Don't wait to study this fine piece of art inside a film class, or a local rep house...go out and purchase a library copy of your on to enjoy, its well worth the effort.
Movie Review: Face the music
Summary: 5 Stars
A Face in the Crowd is a gripping commentary on the possible excesses of television. A veritable nobody rises from the drunk tank up the ladder of media cause he has a voice and a face that sells. At first unassuming and naive Andy Griffith combines homespun values with a winning wit. The listening public falls in love with a manufactured image that gives them a false sense of security. He can do no wrong and events take an absurd turn as national media adopts the country boy and corrupts him with accolades and profitable bogus products. It reaches a stunning climax where he will sit with heads of state and influence policy. An open mike and a lose tongue lead to his downfall betrayed by his mentor. It exposes the shallow nature of television and the fickleness of it. A drunk rises from jail to high ratings and then crashes. There is a lesson to be learned, but it is lost on the powers that be. Even before the dust settles a new evangelist is being groomed to fool the people once more. This is a jaundiced portrait of television that has lofty aspirations. The public has a short memory and a sucker is born every minute.