Quiz Show

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Rob Morrow, John Turturro

Smooth, mannered depiction of a historical event that can only be described as trivial. I cannot fathom what made Redford think that this cheesy little scandal had weight that would resonate down the ages. It doesn't. I suppose he thought it a dandy metaphor for the loss of innocence of America, and the roots of our cynicism (so often richly deserved) about public institutions. The trouble is, it really doesn't have that kind of impact. In the end it's a story about a bunch of greedy men trying to make a lot of money by manipulating a TV show... and that's it. Gee, what a surprise. For all the polished production work, and good acting (especially Fiennes and Turturro; Morrow seems to be trying too hard), the story breaks no new ground whatsoever. It tells us nothing new about the nature of corruption or the nature of ourselves, and that is why the picture remains merely a fine exercise in period reconstruction and never makes the transition to memorable film. (10/3/94)