A Face in the Crowd

8.4

We all know the story. A nobody rises to fame and is corrupted with power along the way. The tale is old as dirt and about as original. What sets this 1957 black and white satire apart is that by the end, it has more in common with Frankenstein. And like Frankenstein, Patricia Neal's Marcia must come to terms with her creation after it has wrecked havoc on its surroundings. In this iteration, a manipulative country bumpkin replaces the burly monster. Andy Griffith is perfectly cast as the monster, his genuine likability foreshadowing his role on The Andy Griffith Show 3 years later.

Supporting actor Patricia Neal gives a subtle and impressive performance that counters Griffith's larger-than-life persona and supplies the film with a moral core that is necessary to sell the story. A young Walter Matheau appears out of nowhere halfway through and steals every scene he's in. But there's no mistaking that the film belongs to Andy Griffith. Without him, it would be hard to pity such a hubris-filled character.

Overall, its a functional and entertaining satire that enthralls even if you already know where its heading. The photography is solid if rather unsensational and the editing sets it apart from other films of its time. It is well-paced and even ruthless at times, cutting off actors in the middle of heart-felt speeches all in service of telling a better story. Sidney Lumet's Network owes a lot to this film. While Network features a better script and more naturalistic performances, this film has a more satisfying ending that never feels like it sacrifices character for satire. Its worth a look for Griffith's performance alone.