Quiz Show

I think this is one of the best movies I've ever seen. I also think the conflict within Charles van Doren is perfectly showed along the film. And his motivation. You can feel his disappoint whenever he is introduced to someone new, as he's told: "are you related to Mark van Doren, the Pulitzer prize winner?" The challenge, just for giving it a name, between Charlie and Dick Goodwin is very well described. Two elevated minds, vis-a-vis, in an equal struggle of geniuses. And Charlie´s father reaction when he learns the truth... and Charlie´s remorse and how he can't tell the truth to his father. As Charlie says at the end: "I've gone too high on borrowed wings". The thing is he had wings on his own, but pretty hidden.

I won't go into boring tactics of film dissection and/or criticism. I will say this: If you are in any way associated with the world of cinema, art or literature then you will love this film. It is, without a doubt, one of those rare gems that occasionally sprout out of Hollywood----a near perfect film. Enjoy.

"Quiz Show" is a dramatic dissection of the 50's NBC quiz show scandal. An excellent production in general with the "feel" of a theatrical docudrama, the film does a good job of showing the nebulous nature of corruption; the blurring of good and evil, the compromising of moral precepts, the "whistle blowing", the covering up, the rationalizations, and the rest of the dialectic which all such scandals seem to follow. (eg: Watergate, The Insider, Erin Brocovich, etc.) "Quiz Show" has no clear winners with the exception of the audience. Its slightly obvious presentation makes it an enjoyable watch for all.

Paul Attanasio's screenplay is taut, intelligent, subtle, beautifully paced. This is a morality play, the offenders being not only the contestants and their producers, but also the sponsor, the network and ultimately the quiz show audience. And it's not over until the scene that accompanies the final credits. The acting at every level, from principals through other important characters to bit parts, is outstanding. Ralph Fiennes conveys the charm, intelligence, poise and moral weakness of the Van Doren character. John Turturro and Rob Morrow are excellent foils, playing roles that are not quite as difficult with great skill. The two producers are a smoothly choreographed duo, like a veteran pair of used-car salesmen. Paul Scofield is deft and authoritative as Van Doren's father. All in all, a delight to watch, again and again.

Most ethical decisions, unlike most of those seen in film, are not life and death, though they are important....that is the beauty of this impressively acted and written film. Most people probably consider this film boring because the action is quite cerebral.....it deals with motivations, human weakness, the problem of living in the shadow of greatness, as well as the beginnings of the "staging" of what the public wants (WASP vs. Jew), instead of what is right, that continues to this day in the media. I am not a fan of Robert Redford, and like very few of his films because they are usually politically motivated. However, this film was great, and highly underrated. This was one of Ralph Fiennes first films after "Schindler's List".....he has played two very different characters...one that never realizes his immorality, one that does.....they were both great performances by a gifted actor.

There's something appropriate about Robert Redford heading up a movie about the mid-century quiz show scandals; after all, a lot of this movie centers on a government bureaucrat sniffing for answers. It's not Watergate, but surprisingly engrossing for something related to television. The movie takes its time basking in '50s nostalgia before the real drama kicks in. But when it does, it's remarkable. Subtle, but riveting nonetheless. And even with the shady goings-on it's one of the classier movies I've seen in a long time. That said, the cynicism runs alarmingly deep. The dirty laundry is aired before Congress, but it's not the bad guys that end up paying. The contestants who played along end up being destroyed, while the larger machine continues to churn right along; and that is one bitter ending. Great movie. 8/10

I like action movies. This is not an action movie. This is a GREAT movie. If you like parachuting yourself into another point in time and learning about events in history then this is a must see. No, it won't blow you out of your seat with thrills and chills but the acting is top notch and it never lost my attention for a moment. Actually, I've seen this 5 times or more and I never tire of watching it or introducing it to a friend. If you want to go back in time to see the quiz show scandal of the late 1950's, then this is a perfect 10 in my book.

Robert Redford directed this intelligent account of the real-life cheating scandal that rocked television quiz shows in the 1950's, with the show "Twenty-One" in particular being targeted by young lawyer Goodwin(played by Rob Morrow) who works for a congressional subcommittee that suspects something is wrong when long-time contestant Herbie Stempel(played by John Turturro) loses to popular and rich Charles Van Doren(played by Ralph Fiennes) and he cries foul, though his motivations are based on pride and money, rather than ideals. Paul Scofield plays Mark Van Doren, Charles' father, who can't understand what the fuss is all about... Most interesting and authentic recreation of that time makes potent observations about class, beauty, and favoritism, and doesn't let the audience off the hook either, making their culpability in the scandal quite clear in a clever fashion. Superb direction and performances in underrated film.