The Public Has A Short Memory

Rating: Null/10 (26 December 2018)

The review title is a well-known saying, and indeed mentioned in the film, masterfully made by Robert Redford, based on the 1950s rigged quiz show.
What is important to get from this film is what Richard Goodwin was trying to bring to light. The corruption and manipulation of the television industry.
The high-point was definitely C. van Doren's testimony. And that's the issue. The localizing of a much larger problem to a particular instance. Yes, the testimony was a great part of the movie, provoked thought on the morality (which is quite clear I'd say). But, as in real life, it overshadowed the larger implication of mass media corruption and manipulation. The most guilty parties involved all got away with it! The company CEOs and show directors stayed clean and even gained a couple political points. However, as always, the little man got what he had coming. That's not a bad thing, it is great that Charles van Doren, Herbie Stempel and others cleared their consciences. But it is deplorable that the main actors got away scotch free.
The movie is masterfully done.