[8]

A Face in the Crowd is a surprisingly relevant movie, despite the fact that it’s now over 50 years old. Andy Griffith stars as “Lonesome” Rhodes, a country singer who becomes a media sensation. As the public fawns over him, Rhodes becomes drunk with power and soon sets his sights on the political ring, forcing an ex-lover (Patricia Neal) to attempt revealing to the public what a manipulative monster he has become. Griffith’s role is a nasty one that stands in stark contrast to his avuncular TV personality. The movie is eerily prophetic in several ways: how TV and entertainment would increasingly taint the political process, how the masses would increasingly respond to cowboys over politicians (Reagan, Bush, anyone?), and it even presupposes the advent of Viagra. The advertising montage for the Viagra-like product is a hoot, and I’ll be darned if they’re not advertising Viagra the exact same way today. Griffith is amazing in the lead, and Patricia Neal is equally good. Overall, a very underrated, dark and prescient political satire. With Walter Matthau and Lee Remick. Directed by Elia Kazan.