Classics: A Review of A Face in the Crowd By Lauren Ennis

 "I'm not just an entertainer, I'm an influence, a wielder of opinion, I'm a force!" declares television host and rising populist political star Lonesome Rhodes. In its depiction of Rhodes' fictional meteoric rise and inevitable fall 1957's A Face in the Crowd predicted the modern media and political landscapes, offering a dire warning against both. Considered both a critical and commercial flop by its contemporaries the film has since gone on to obtain classic status as it continues to gain in relevancy with each passing year. Follow the road to stardom with Lonesome Rhodes in A Face in the Crowd.

The story begins with ambitious radio producer, Marcia, on the search for 'the next big thing'. While recording a segment at an Arkansas jail she encounters drifter Larry Rhodes. While Rhodes is an obvious drunken lout, Marcia sees potential in his folksy charisma and southern charm. She soon books him on a segment in Memphis in which his humorous ad-libbing and politically tinged music leaves the audience captivated when a stunt against the show's sponsors leads to increased ratings and sales the station realizes that Rhodes' full persuasive powers. He is then offered his own show in New York City, catapulting him to national stardom. His celebrity status inspires a national movement and puts him on the road to a political career. As his fame increases, however, so to does his callousness, recklessness, and need for power. It's up to Marcia to expose the monster that she's created before it's too late.

Panned by critics and audiences for its naturalistic performances and bleak tone A Face in the Crowd was an unquestionable flop upon its release. In the decades that followed, however, the film has gone on to attain classic status and it's little wonder why. In its depiction of Rhodes' meteoric rise and inevitable fall the film expertly captures the fickle nature of celebrity and the manipulative power of the media. Beyond merely commenting on the failings of its time the film uncannily predicts the modern media landscape. For example Rhodes; folksy television chats remarkably resemble the modern fascination with unscripted programming offered by reality tv. Similarly, the grass roots movement that he inspires eerily parallels the phenomenon of online influencers. Through its portrayal of his foray into politics the film mirrors our own political landscape in which politicians rely upon celebrity endorsements and hire influencers to official positions. Perhaps most prescient is the way in which Rhodes' appeal to the 'common man' of rural America foreshadows the rise of populist politics across the globe. Beyond merely commenting upon the changing media and political landscapes the film offers a dire warning against giving in to them which has only become more relevant with every passing year. Witness the dazzle and darkness of modern media with Lonesome Rhodes in A Face in the Crowd.

I'm not just an entertainer. I'm an influence, a wielder of opinion, a force... a force!

Each member of the cast offers a tour de force performance. Anthony Franciosa is the epitome of sleaze as Rhodes' smarmy manager. Lee Remick aptly balances naivete with sex appeal as Rhodes' teen fan turned wife, Betty Lou. Walter Mathau blends integrity with grit as television writer turned crusading journalist, Mel. Patricia Neal is captivating in her portrayal of Marcia as a capable, modern ,woman nearly undone by the manipulations of a common grifter. Andy Griffith is a revelation in his magnetic turn as Rhodes. 

In just over two hours A Face in the Crowd captures the emerging media phenomenon of its time while eerily predicting our own. The biting script predicts everything from reality tv to social medial to the reemergence of political populism with uncanny prescience. The performances bring each of the characters to life iwth a depth and nuance that ensure each of the characters is fully three dimensional. At once perfectly capturing its era and entirely ahead of its time, A Face in the Crowd still stands out from the crowd nearly seventy years after its release.

 Good Night you stupid idiots. Good Night, you miserable slobs.