Robert Redford Excels In Quiz Show

Rating: 10/10 (26 October 2011)

Quiz Show is a historical drama film produced and directed by Robert Redford.It was adapted by Paul Attanasio from Richard Goodwin's memoir Remembering America, the film is based upon the Twenty One quiz show scandal of the 1950s. It stars John Turturro as the reigning quiz show champion,Herbert Stempel and Ralph Fiennes as the controversial contestant,Charles Van Doren.
The story starts when the producers of the quiz show 21 have a problem. Their current champ, Herbert Stempel,who has a phenomenal memory and a broad range of knowledge but who also is a loudmouth with an uncharismatic personality.Then the producers asked Herbert to lose on purpose and allow Charles Van Doren,a handsome and charming college professor,to become the show's new champion. Audiences like Van Doren, and he's certainly not averse to the money he's winning, but the ethics of the situation begin to trouble him, especially when the show's producers begin to give him the questions in advance.
The movie paints a telling portrait about the effects of advertising on producers of TV shows and networks.Aside from that a poignant examination of pop culture, greed, and race relations in American society in the 1950s.It relates changes in the American character and culture as it exposes how men make moral choices.In summary,the movie is an outstanding narrative of corruption of a person's character.Quiz Show delivers in all these things mentioned.Aside from that,it also worth mentioning the Turturro and Fiennes deliver great performances as Stempel and Van Doren respectively.In summary,Redford excels in Quiz Show.