Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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 La Grange | |
Susan Sarandon | ... | Margherita Sarfatti | |
Jamey Sheridan | ... | John Adair | |
John Turturro | ... | Aldo Silvano | |
Emily Watson | ... | Olive Stanton | |
Bob Balaban | ... | Harry Hopkins |
In 1930s New York Orson Welles tries to stage a musical on a steel strike under the Federal Theater Program despite pressure from an establishment fearful of industrial unrest and red activity. Meanwhile Nelson Rockefeller gets the foyer of his company headquarters decorated and an Italian countess sells paintings for Mussolini. Written by Jeremy Perkins
This may suffer from having a few too many plot lines and characters (Emily Watson, for example, is a role too far), but most of what's there is excellent. Bill Murray is as good as he has been recently in Rushmore and Lost in Translation, and the Cusacks are at their best. This is a film that lingers with you after you've seen it, and gives a fascinating insight into a turbulent time.