A Face in the Crowd
|
List Price: Our Price: $10.95 You Save: $8.98 (45%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $8.77 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of A Face in the Crowd
Movie Review: What could have been?
Summary: 5 Stars
Not expecting such a ruthless character played by Andy Griffith, I was expecting a hard time "suspending belief".
The first time you see Larry "Lonesome" Rhodes in this movie, he is snarling, angry, and ready to lash out. He spends the rest of the movie trying to keep that part of his persona hidden. It comes out, usually in front of Marcia (Patricia O'Neal). "Aww, I was only kiddin' "
She believes him. We, the viewers, know better.
He has a disdain for people, and only cares for himself. Yet when he smiles and goes into his "Aw Shucks" mode you forget how evil he is.
I love the part where Paricia Neal says he was a hit on her radio show. He turns his head and spits.
His singing (Especially in the jail) is raw and sexual. Now, when I see Andy Taylor, I wonder how much he must despise Opie, or if he ridicules Aunt Bea when she is out of earshot.
He is definately worthy of all the adulation he gets from his TV work, but, I wonder how his career may have worked out if he passed on "The Andy Griffith Show" and stuck with movies.
Movie Review: Scary
Summary: 5 Stars
"A Face in the Crowd" is just as, or perhaps more, riveting today than when it was released to theaters in 1957. The movie features a low-down scandroul and his meteoric rise to fame. His popularity was more stumbled into than earned. "Lonesome" Rhodes is not necessarily a smart man, but he was savvy enough to know how to climb the ladder and he knew he had the power to sway people.
"Lonesome" Rhodes is a personality of low moral character, and yet people hang on every word he says. Sound familiar?
This motion picture will make you think twice the next time the celebrity-of-the-week spouts off their political views. Is an entertainer's perspective really any more valuable than someone who doesn't happen to play a guitar or have a nice smile?
Andy Griffith is literally stunning in this performance. He never played this sort of character again and if you think of him as Andy Taylor of Mayberry you may do yourself a favor NOT to see this film.
"A Face in the Crowd" is as, more of, relevant today than it was in 1957.
Movie Review: Stunning predictor of Glenn Beck and his ilk
Summary: 5 Stars
In retrospect this is one of the more amazing films I have seen in recent years. It is incredible that it has not risen to the top of the best films list. The stunning, first-rate cast members (Griffith, Neal, Franciosa, Mattheau, Remick) give electrifying performances, spurred on by the genius of director Kazan. I was drawn to the film because of the constant media attention given to contemporary Fox News commentator Glenn Beck, to which the character of Lonesome Rhodes bears an uncanny resemblance as a demagogue and self-styled public opinion shaper. The cynical ending of the film is, sadly, all too true for today's world as much as it was when the film was made. The American public is easily misled by this kind of blowhard, know-nothing media star. Fortunately, as in the film, they occasionally wake up to the fact that they are being manipulated. The film thus makes a serious critique of American culture, media culture and the fragility of public discourse. The film should be required viewing for today's society.Movie Review: A Movie Decades Ahead Of Its Time
Summary: 5 Stars
It is hard to believe that the film, A Face in the Crowd, directed by Elia Kazan, screenplay by Bud Schulberg, is 50 years old. It is as if Kazan and Schulberg could see into the future, the future of TV that is. In today's world of gotcha journalism, scandal is the norm, but in the 1950's TV was still a fairly new medium. A Face in the Crowd shows just how even in its infancy TV was already a corrupting power, its power in the visual. Andy Griffith as the hustler, near do well, Larry "Lonesome" Rhodes is frightening. If you only know Griffith as Opie Taylor's father you are in for a surprise and a shock. Griffith's character plays off of the early optimism of the Patricia Neal character, Marcia Jeffries. If Lonesome is corrupted by power, Marcia buys into the wealth TV can generate. With great supporting actors like Walter Matthau and Tony Franciosa there is not a dull moment in this film. Simply, A Face in the Crowd is a much overlooked film classic. This one is a must for your DVD collection.Movie Review: A must see movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Sometimes people coming from the socially disadvantaged strata could have impact in modern societies as they can better understand the day to day life problems of the "common people".This is the case of Lonesome Rhodes,a singer and storyteller who was used by the mass media and politicians.However the fact that someone can understand other people's problems does not mean that this person is good hearted.In this movie Lonesome Rhodes was a megalomaniac and Marcia Jeffries(who has discovered him)was also the one who exposes Lonesome's real personality to the public.How? OK I will not tell you...for that you have to see the movie.Mel Miller's (Walter Matthau)last conversation with Lonesome is memorable and I hope you agree with me after you see the movie.To summarize I wish the world has more Marcia Jeffries...to make people realize what some politicians really are.As I have said in some other reviews...See it, you will not regret...:)