Review of Cradle Will Rock (1999) by Stuart K — 16 Jul 2009

Tim Robbins has another stab at directing after the success of Dead Man Walking (1995), it's a lighter tone of film, based on a true(ish) story set in the world of theatre in the mid-1930's. It's got a great ensemble cast, and it captures the era it's set in very well.

It's a pity more people haven't seen this film. Set in the 1930s during the height of the Great Depression, it has the Federal Theater Project set in place by the U.S Government to get more people into the theatre, both working and as viewers.

At one such theatre, songwriter Marc Blitzstein (Hank Azaria) has just written a far-left labour musical called, The Cradle Will Rock, which is being put on stage by rising young theatre actor and director Orson Welles (Angus Macfadyen).

However, it hits a snag when the musical is under threat by the Federal Theater Program, due to it's tone, but the show must go on. It's a very good film, using intertwining plots to move the film along, (it's obvious that Robbins took inspiration from Robert Altman, who he'd worked with.

) But, it's a very good film, with a gentle sense of humour and making a stand against censorship. Oh, it has a BRILLIANT cast, including John Cusack, Joan Cusack, Rubén Blades, Cary Elwes, Philip Baker Hall, Bill Murray, Vanessa Redgrave, Susan Sarandon, John Turturro, Emily Watson, Bob Balaban, Paul Giamatti and Jack Black!! :D.