Cradle Will Rock (1999)

Calificación de los usuarios:

6.7/10   

Director:

Tim Robbins

Guionista (WGA):

Tim Robbins (written by)

Fecha de Lanzamiento:

12 abril 2000 (France)

Género:

Drama

Frase comercial:

Art is never dangerous -- unless it tells the truth.

Plot:

A true story of politics and art in the 1930s USA, centered around a leftist musical drama and attempts to stop its production.

Plot Keywords:

New York | 1930s | Theater | Union | USA

Premios:

4 wins & 6 nominations

Comentarios de los usuarios:

Artsy, elegant manifesto with fascinating sub-plots and details.

Reparto

Hank Azaria	...	Marc Blitzstein
Rubén Blades	...	Diego Rivera
Joan Cusack	...	Hazel Huffman
John Cusack	...	Nelson Rockefeller
Cary Elwes	...	John Houseman
Philip Baker Hall	...	Gray Mathers
Cherry Jones	...	Hallie Flanagan
Angus Macfadyen	...	Orson Welles
Bill Murray	...	Tommy Crickshaw
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Countess Constance LaGrange
Susan Sarandon	...	Margherita Sarfatti
Jamey Sheridan	...	John Adair
John Turturro	...	Aldo Silvano
Emily Watson	...	Olive Stanton
Bob Balaban	...	Harry Hopkins

También conocida como:

Abajo el telón (Argentina) (Spain) [es]
Aplausos (Argentina) [es]

MPAA:

Rated R for some language and sexuality.

Duración:

132 min

País:

USA

Idioma:

Inglés | Italiano

Color:

Color

Relación de Aspecto:

2.35 : 1

Sonido:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Clasificación:

Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | France:U | Spain:7 | UK:15 | USA:R

Locaciones de Filmación:

New York City, New York, USA

Compañía:

Cradle Productions Inc.

Trivialidades:

The three-toned art-deco console radio seen in an office sequence is a Midwest Radio Model B-16 from 1936.

Errores:

Errores cometidos por los personajes (posiblemente errores deliberados por los cineastas): At 36 when the film was released, Angus Macfadyen is visibly far older than Orson Welles was supposed to be during the time the film is set. When the opens, in 1935, he was only 20 years old and even at the climax, in 1937, he'd still only be 22.

Citas:

Marc: I am faithful to the ideals of the party.
Orson Welles: I am faithful to the party of ideas.
John Houseman: You are faithful to the idea of a party.

Conexiones de Película:

Apareció en "Broadway: The American Musical" (2004)

Banda de Sonido:

Honolulu

Artsy, elegant manifesto with fascinating sub-plots and details.

Based on the events that occurred in post Depression era New York in 1936, `The Cradle Will Rock' is a spectacular extravaganza of people, places, and most of all, cultures. Truly an exemplary take on the battle of radicals and corporates, art and politics when they could be united in a common bond. Thus, it is only suiting that such a film be directed by uber-liberalist Tim Robbins. This picture simply wouldn't have worked without him.

From an overhead point of view, this is the cinematic equivalent of a protest- a real bite on shady politics. But in actuality it is something far deeper, focusing on numerous interesting sub-plots and taking in everyone's point of view. The backdrop is the closing down of a theatrical play when it is accused of being communist. Throughout the 135 minutes, we take in all of the different `isms'- fascism, capitalism, communism, Nazism, Catholicism and Judaism. Not only does this require a passing knowledge on these people and events; one must have an interest in the proceedings to get the most out of it.

One reason why there have been some negative reviews is because people are confused as to why Diego Riviera, Margherreta Sarfatti etc. are in the story. I can explain. Rather like `Magnolia (which followed on totally dissimilar outlines), you have to read the sub-text. This is a movie about passion for art and music. Marc Blitzein, Hazel Huffman and Diego Riviera (and all connected) had a deep passion for their work that the authorities would soon destroy because of rules and regulations.

Interesting is the fact that all the characters are based on true life people, and Robbins has assembled a fine cast who give noteworthy performances all across the board. One of the hardest to portray has to be Orson Welles. It's a true fact that 21-year-olds from the 1930's look much older than those from the 90's. No one wanted to see James Van Der Beek/ Casper Van Dien in the role. Thus, Angus MacFadyen was a superb choice, portraying Welles as an egotistical, self-centred man. Equally impressive is Susan Sarandon (with an impeccable exotic accent) as a Jewish Fascist art dealer. She knows exactly what she's doing and highlights some of the best scenes. Other standouts include John Cusack's aristocratic Nelson Rockafeller and Cary Elwes' interpretation of flamboyant producer/ soon-to-be Oscar winner (`The Paper Chase'- 1973) John Houseman.

If there were a flaw, it would have to be the last 15-20 minutes. What, for the most part, is an illustrious, brilliant character study later dissipates into a shiny-smiley low glitz `Singin In the Rain' effort. Such a shame, because the film was doing so tremendously up until that point. Then of course, it is 135 minutes long so much of that final sequence could and should have been excised.

Nevertheless, if you can forgive that, you have a remarkable, audacious film on hand. `The Cradle Will Rock' truly is an overseen landmark in ensembles, biopics and interweaving. By far Robbins best movie yet, the sub-plots are equally impressive from Blitzstein's paranoid delusions to Constance La Grange's over-the-top characteristics. If you are in any way interested in fascism, communism etc. then don't miss this polished, spirited picture. My IMDb rating: 7.6/10.