Synopsis: In 1936, a theater group tries to produce a play under the Federal Theater Program, a branch of Roosevelt anti-depression plan. Concurrently, New York mayor Rockefeller hires Rivera to paint a mural.
Appraisal: The key image for this film is a puppet doll who turns communist, much to its master's dismay. Thus, the government's expectations concerning the program of subsidies for the arts backfired - they were all reds. A costume party is used as a device to contrast the manipulating elite and the oppressed people. There are many instances of brilliance throughout this film, but it is all hammered on our heads in a loud, hysterical manner, culminating in an torturous and unnecessary depiction of the performance of Cradle Will Rock, a musical about the importance of Unions. Sometimes less is more, someone should tell this film's director.
Rating:54
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