Tim Robbins is one of the most exciting directors working today. "Dead Man Walking" was my favorite film of 1995, and "Cradle Will Rock" (together with "Magnolia" and "Topsy-Turvy") tops the list for 1999.
"Cradle" was also one of the most underrated films in its year. Everyone went ape over "American Beauty" and ignored this movie. The Academy snubbed it completely (but who really cares) and audiences avoided it (which doesn't really surprise me). But even critics couldn't get behind this one.
It's a rousing bit of work, and if it's a bit one-sided, at least it's one-sided for a good cause. The film makes a point about art appreciation that I think desperately needs to be made in these days of "Survivor" and "Temptation Island" and every other sort of banal entertainment corporate conglomerates are serving up to the public. Tim Robbins directs with visual flair and gets top-notch performances from everyone, even when the actors are miscast (John Cusack, Susan Sarandon). Standouts include Cherry Jones, Joan Cusack, and Vanessa Redgrave.
I came away from this movie with the desire to sing, dance, write, paint, sculpt--anything that involves passion and creativity and freedom of expression. Thank you Tim Robbins for making a movie about issues that matter. Next time you sit down to watch "Survivor," pop this in instead.
"Cradle" was also one of the most underrated films in its year. Everyone went ape over "American Beauty" and ignored this movie. The Academy snubbed it completely (but who really cares) and audiences avoided it (which doesn't really surprise me). But even critics couldn't get behind this one.
It's a rousing bit of work, and if it's a bit one-sided, at least it's one-sided for a good cause. The film makes a point about art appreciation that I think desperately needs to be made in these days of "Survivor" and "Temptation Island" and every other sort of banal entertainment corporate conglomerates are serving up to the public. Tim Robbins directs with visual flair and gets top-notch performances from everyone, even when the actors are miscast (John Cusack, Susan Sarandon). Standouts include Cherry Jones, Joan Cusack, and Vanessa Redgrave.
I came away from this movie with the desire to sing, dance, write, paint, sculpt--anything that involves passion and creativity and freedom of expression. Thank you Tim Robbins for making a movie about issues that matter. Next time you sit down to watch "Survivor," pop this in instead.