Viewed in
2011
Formats
HDTV
Premise
A drama about a 1960's American TV quiz show that was fixed.
Loved
Great acting.
Liked
Strong writing.
Thoughts
Just a really well-done film.
The acting was superb, especially Ralph Fiennes as an earnest contestant who doesn't realize he's overwhelmed, the late great Paul Scofield as his intellectual father, and Jon Turturro as conflictingly unlikable yet justifiably wronged contestant. Flanking them were strong performances by Rob Morrow, Hank Azaria and "that guy" David Paymer. Martin Scorsese's cameo was amusing, but not distracting.
I also really enjoyed the story-telling by director Robert Redford. It started off very procedurally, then it deftly made me sympathize with Fiennes' character, and before I knew it, I was emotionally invested in his situation.
What I found most fascinating was Turturro's character. As the whistleblower, he should've been the hero of the film, and in his mind, he was. Ironically, he was the least likable character, because of his personality, well-personified by Turturro's acting. Redford took a giant risk in creating such a charmless yet sympathetic and memorable person. The rest of the characters were just as flawed and human.
Quiz Show was full of superb film-making quality, and virtually no flaws. Too bad it came out the same year as Shawshank Redemption and Pulp Fiction.
What I would change
Nothing.
