Watch Reds

Reds is an epic romantic drama film from 1981 that tells the story of a passionate love affair between two politically-inspired individuals caught up in the excitement and upheaval of the Russian Revolution. Directed by Warren Beatty, who also stars in the lead role, the movie captures the fascinating transformation of a group of American expatriates into communists determined to fight for social justice and communism in the early 1900s.

Set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution, Reds is a sweeping historical drama that explores the complexities of war, love, and revolution. It follows the life of John Reed, a charismatic journalist and writer who becomes caught up in the Bolshevik revolution, and his lover, Louise Bryant, a passionate feminist writer who is torn between her love for Reed and her commitment to her ideals.

The film begins in Portland, Oregon in 1915 where John Reed, an idealistic journalist, meets Louise Bryant, a struggling writer who dreams of making her mark on the world. The two immediately fall in love and embark on a passionate affair that takes them from Portland to New York City and eventually to Europe.

As they journey through Europe, they become increasingly disillusioned with the political situation and begin to sympathize with the communist movement. They eventually end up in Russia, where they witness firsthand the revolutionary changes taking place in the country. Here, they meet other expatriates who share their beliefs and become active members of the Communist Party.

As the revolution gains momentum, Reed becomes increasingly involved in the Bolshevik Party and becomes a key figure in the establishment of the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, Bryant remains in the background, struggling to balance her love for Reed with her desire to establish herself as a writer and advocate for women's rights.

The film is a fascinating exploration of the human cost of political change, as Reed and Bryant are forced to confront the harsh reality of the revolution they fought so hard to create. Their intense and passionate love affair becomes a metaphor for the struggle between personal desire and political commitment, and their conflicting ideals become a powerful commentary on the relationship between love and revolution.

Beatty's direction and performance are both excellent, bringing a sense of intimacy and urgency to the story. The film is beautifully shot, with stunning cinematography that captures the beauty and brutality of the Russian landscape.

Diane Keaton's performance as Louise Bryant is equally powerful, capturing the character's fierce determination and emotional complexity. Edward Herrmann delivers a remarkable performance as Max Eastman, a Marxist writer and poet who was a friend and rival of John Reed.

The film's supporting cast includes a number of notable actors, including Jack Nicholson, whose brief appearance as Eugene O'Neill is a standout moment. Maureen Stapleton also delivers a memorable performance as feminist activist and journalist Emma Goldman.

Overall, Reds is a powerful and moving film that explores the complexities of love, politics, and social change. It is an epic story that is both intimate and sweeping, and captures the spirit and excitement of the Russian Revolution without sacrificing the emotional depth and complexity of its characters.

Reds is a 1981 drama with a runtime of 3 hours and 14 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 76.