Review of Ragtime (1981) by Leelustig — 13 Jan 2017
I think the problem with this film and the reason why everyone finds it "lopsided" and "messy" is because A) It ditches many of the subplots that were in the book, and B) The film's narrative shifts from a broad perspective to a narrow one as the film plays out.
This never struck me as a negative thing, however. For a story that seems like it will be large and spread out, the film is surprisingly contained. We know who we're rooting for and we know who we're against and that never changes.
This is one of those films that you're either on board from the beginning, or you're not. Incredible set design and outstanding performances by everyone involved create a good handful of memorable moments.
The detail in the film also impresses, both in visual design and in the authentic dialogue and character arcs. If you're a Milos Forman completionist or even just a fan of period pieces, I would recommend not missing this one.
This review of Ragtime (1981) was written by Leelustig on 13 Jan 2017.
Ragtime has generally received positive reviews.
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