Reviews: DVD

A Face in the Crowd

Directed by Elia Kazan and starring Andy Griffith and Patricia Neal

Most movies are like automobiles, losing value over the years; some age like vintage wine; and then, a select few not only retain their freshness, but actually attain immortality by growing in relevance.

A Face in the Crowd was not well received when it premiered in 1957, but it could be Kazan's piece de resistance, even greater than On the Waterfront. It portrays a folk hero who evolves from jail bird to country-western singer to television celebrity and, finally, to "demagogue in denim". It is a scathing study of media power, of human nature and of the masses being manipulated.

Like all of Kazan's movies, this one has top-notch acting, especially the breakout performance of Andy Griffith, who bursts with energy yet infuses his role with subtlety. His is a character who is not power-hungry by nature, but knows how to connect with the public and is willing to harness this talent. What is a gut feeling to him, is called "media savvy" now and is probably taught in communication schools.

Raymond Zhou

(China Daily 03/06/2007 page20)