Review of Quiz Show (1994) by Drew S — 02 Apr 2007

I was positive that this would end up becoming one of my favorite movies for almost the entire run through...but then, with twenty minutes left to spare, I just completely lost interest. I don't know what it was. Nothing about the film, be it the characters or the plot, were really captivating me anymore. My mind started to wander; I counted each minute go by on the DVD clock.

I'm really not sure why this started to happen. I suppose Quiz Show had finally worn out its welcome. The movie is damn interesting almost the entire time, but it feels like it's saying the same things over and over again in the home stretch. The ending is really underwhelming, and that's a total shame.

I also feel a little guilty for liking Ralph Fiennes's character far more than John Turturro's; I don't know whether I SHOULD feel that way or not. I guess that's how the movie wanted you to react. Charles Van Doren is a man of massive charisma...Herb Stempel, not so much. Either way, both performances are excellent.

Once again, I really regret that the ending wasn't a little more interesting, but when you do a movie based on a true story I guess there's only so much creative liberty you can take...

By the way, Ralph Fiennes is hot.