Watch A Face in the Crowd

A Face in the Crowd is a 1957 film directed by Elia Kazan and starring Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, and Anthony Franciosa. The movie follows the rise to fame of an Arkansas drifter named Larry "Lonesome" Rhodes (Andy Griffith) and his eventual downfall. The film begins with the protagonist being discovered by radio producer Marcia Jeffries (Patricia Neal) while sitting in a jail cell. Marcia is immediately drawn to his folksy charm and musical talents, and decides to give him a chance on her radio show. Lonesome soon becomes a sensation, attracting a large following of fans who are attracted to his folksy persona and his ability to speak directly to them.

As Lonesome's popularity continues to grow, he is eventually hired by a television network to host his own show, which further cements his status as a national celebrity. However, his newfound power and influence also begin to corrupt him, as he becomes increasingly arrogant and manipulative in his dealings with others.

Throughout the film, Lonesome is shown using his platform to manipulate public opinion and advance his own personal agenda. He engages in political maneuvering and forms alliances with powerful people, all while building a cult-like following of devoted fans who hang on his every word.

As his power and influence continue to grow, Lonesome becomes increasingly disconnected from the people he claims to represent. He ceases to see them as individuals and instead views them as mere pawns to be manipulated to further his own ambitions.

Despite his apparent invincibility, Lonesome's downfall eventually comes at the hands of his own hubris. As he becomes increasingly paranoid and erratic, his true colors are revealed to the world, and his once-loyal fans turn against him. Marcia, who had been one of his closest allies, is also forced to confront the depths of his corruption and ultimately turns on him as well.

In the end, the film serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the corrupting influence of fame. It is a gripping and unforgettable drama that features outstanding performances from its lead actors, particularly Griffith, who delivers a truly mesmerizing turn as the charismatic yet deeply flawed Lonesome Rhodes. Overall, A Face in the Crowd is a classic film that remains as relevant today as it was when it was first released over six decades ago.

A Face in the Crowd is a 1957 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.2 and a MetaScore of 72.