Quiz Show
1994 Directed by Robert Redford
Synopsis
Fifty million people watched but no one saw a thing.
Quiz Show is a 1994 American historical drama film which tells the true story of the Twenty One quiz show scandal of the 1950s.
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65/100
Revisited for a Scenic Routes column in which I basically call Redford a hack. Nonetheless, I still like the film overall, mostly because it's one of very few I can think of that overtly addresses the subject of toxic privilege. Van Doren finally confessing his role in the scandal and then being praised by multiple Congressmen for his candor, as vilified whistleblower Stempel watches in disbelief, says more about how power works in America than something like Arbitrage (even though I kinda dug that one)—it's not about money or violence, but about what others will automatically be inclined to assume or forgive, based on a surface impression. Still wish there was more focus on the inner workings of Twenty…
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"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." Based on real events, Quiz Show is the tale of what happens when a beloved American past time turns out to be rigged. Young lawyer Dick Goodwin (Rob Morrow) stumbles upon a conspiracy behind the scenes of the popular game show "Twenty-One", that is used in order to keep the winners that get the best ratings to remain the ones on the stage.
The film, directed by Robert Redford and written by Paul Attanasio off of Richard N. Goodwin's book, is elaborately staged, focusing on several different characters from Goodwin to ousted and unstable former "Twenty-One" champion Herbie Stempel (John Turturro) to the new reigning champ, the prim and…
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Quiz Show is so damned awesome it has Martin Scorcese in a freakin supporting role! You know you're making one fucking amazing film when a masterful director figures he'll act for you. The cast is amazing, the direction is masterful, the message of the film still rings true and even though the subject matter may seem fairly trivial it exposes uncomfortable truths about the nature of humanity that still haunt us today. Must-see!!!
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What is Robert Redford's best directed film?
What is one of the most fascinating, captivating, and brilliantly written/acted films of the 90's?
What film is like watching modern-ish Shakespeare?
What film is awesome enough to have Martin Scorsese in a supporting role? Not a simple cameo, an actual prominent role.
No need to cheat and look up the answers. The answer is right in front of you. You just have to watch closely... -
Excellent drama starring Ralph Fiennes, John Turturro and Rob Morrow, about a rigged quiz show scandal. Turturro is convincingly irritating as the ousted champion; Fiennes perfectly straight-laced as the WASPish, well-bred New Englander who usurps his throne. Morrow is functional in a fairly thankless role - he's the investigator uncovering the scandal, a much less meaty part than the others.
Credit also to Redford for keeping the pace snappy without being slight.
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Nice drama about the quiz scandals in the USA during the early days of TV. John Turturro plays another wonderful role and as usual very intense. I have to admit I have a soft spot for him.
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pretty good
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Not a great film, but heartfelt and satisfying.
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A phenomenally compelling story, and a surprisingly nuanced look at the human psyche. The movie refracts the question of moral wrongs and rights through a brilliant, character-driven drama about a quiz show scandal, and it is glorious.
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A good, solid, meticulously paced movie about an important media scandal. This movie has a very good cast of character actors with a few misses. But all in all I really liked it.
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65/100
Revisited for a Scenic Routes column in which I basically call Redford a hack. Nonetheless, I still like the film overall, mostly because it's one of very few I can think of that overtly addresses the subject of toxic privilege. Van Doren finally confessing his role in the scandal and then being praised by multiple Congressmen for his candor, as vilified whistleblower Stempel watches in disbelief, says more about how power works in America than something like Arbitrage (even though I kinda dug that one)—it's not about money or violence, but about what others will automatically be inclined to assume or forgive, based on a surface impression. Still wish there was more focus on the inner workings of Twenty…
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A fascinating and compelling insight into one of the most outrageous scandals ever seen (or not seen) on Television.
Ralph Fiennes and John Turturro are both excellent, portraying like able but yet at the same time deeply corrupt and downright arrogant characters. Redford's best film by a mile.
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This is a good one that is worth a watch. Really interesting story, and some solid performances. It sent me away satisfied, but it doesn't seem to be one that I will watch again and again.
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This is a truly fantastic film.
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Intellectually fascinating entertainment on the unrivaled power of television and the hold it can have over a nation. Arguably Robert Redford's most watchable film, Quiz Show recounts the real-life events on the 1950's program Twenty-One, with an excellent Turturro as the disgruntled victim of network shenanigans and a deceitfully charming Fiennes as the man who takes his place by being super-brain. Artistic license is obviously taken here as Redford uses his directorial skill to create a crime story with no crime or criminals. There is also no mystery since we are on-board with the rigging from the start. Instead, the film is smartly crafted as a damning portrayal of naivety, leading us into the insightful machinations of a highly powerful…