Cradle Will Rock (1999)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Tim Robbins

Writer (WGA):

Tim Robbins (written by)

Release Date:

12 April 2000 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

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

Awards:

4 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

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

MPAA:

Rated R for some language and sexuality.

Runtime:

132 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

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

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Cradle Productions Inc.

Trivia:

Tim Robbins considered playing Orson Welles.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Diego Rivera's mural in Rockefeller Center was destroyed in February of 1934. The unauthorized performance of "The Cradle Will Rock" took place on 16 June 1937. Hallie Flanagan testified before Congressman Dies' committee on 6 December 1938. For artistic effect, the film makes it seem that the three events occur simultaneously.

Quotes:

Diego Rivera: You're a piece of work. A Jewish fascist!
Margherita Sarfatti: And you, a wealthy communist!

Movie Connections:

References "Camera Three: The Cradle Will Rock" (1964)

Soundtrack:

Oh What a Filthy Night Court

Stick this one out and you won't be sorry.

This is a warning for all prospective viewers of this film: It takes a really long time to come together. It's a large ensemble piece with several subplots that seem to be operating independently of one another. Just take it on faith that they *will* come together in the end, with great results.

Solid performances all around. Emily Watson is great as usual, though she can't sing (that's the point, though...the play is *supposed* to be bad.) John Turturro again accomplishes his goal of becoming a completely different person for each role. Bill Murray in a performance as good as the one in "Rushmore" and Cherry Jones...wow! Hope to see more of her in the future.

The performance scene is one of those classic film scenes. You catch the actors' energy as though they really are fighting proto-McCarthyism and standing up for art, the first amendment, and all things noble and good. This is edge of your seat material, and I saw it on video.

The last frame: a reference to the NEA? You decide.