Editorial Review:Amazon.com essential video:More timely now, perhaps, than when it was first released in 1957, Elia Kazan's overheated political melodrama explores the dangerous manipulative power of pop culture. It exposes the underside of Capra-corn populism, as exemplified in the optimistic fable of grassroots punditry
Meet John Doe. In Kazan's account, scripted by Budd Schulberg, the common-man pontificator (Andy Griffith) is no Gary Cooper-style aw-shucks paragon. Promoted to national fame as a folksy TV idol by radio producer Patricia Neal, Griffith's Larry 'Lonesome' Rhodes turns out to be a megalomaniacal rat bastard. The film turns apocalyptic as Rhodes exploits his power to sway the masses, helping to elect a reactionary presidential candidate. The parodies of television commercials and opinion polling were cutting edge in their day (
Face in the Crowd was the
Network of the Eisenhower era), and there are some startling, near-documentary sequences shot on location in Arkansas. An extraordinary supporting cast (led by Walter Matthau and Lee Remick) helps keep the energy level high, even when the satire turns shrill and unpersuasive in the final reel. There's an interesting parallel in Tim Robbins's snide pseudodocumentary
Bob Roberts: both these pictures have almost as much contempt for the lemmings in the audience as for the manipulative monsters who herd them over the cliff.
--David Chute
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Average Rating:
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Great film
This is Andy Griffith like you've never seen him before or since. This is no Sheriff of Mayberry character. Definitely worth seeing.
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A Masterwork! Everyone who loves democracy must see it!
Anyone who thought G.W. Bush was dumb, and thought that he 'lost' in his debates with Kerry, need only see this masterpiece of political drama to get their larnin'! The acting, the directing, the camera work are all astounding, and they need to be, for the script is a subtle and intelligent tale of cynical realism about the media, politics, and soulless marketing.
Andy Griffith is mesmerizing as a 'genuine hick' who shows the television establishment how easy it is to snuff democracy into a true, American, neo-fascist cowboy hat! Don't skip the documentary "Facing the Past," included with the DVD.
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Great Film!!!!
Got this film for a class I had to watch it for and was not expecting to enjoy it. It really surprised me!!! Andy Griffith was amazing!!!! for sure a must see film : )
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What could have been?
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.
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An Oscar-worthy film in many respects
The performances of Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, Walter Matthau, and the directive genius of Elia Kazan deserve resounding praise. "Lonesome Rhodes" is a far cry from The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock characters! And Walter Matthau--like Griffith's performance, just plain mindblowing! The range of these two actors leave me at a loss for words... Patricia Neal was always "on point" as an actress---one of the great ones. It's too bad that this movie fell under the radar back in its day--the Academy missed this one for sure! This cautionary tale is a timeless classic---you'll definitely want this one in your library!