Review of Reds (1981) by Kevin C — 02 May 2010

A grand, sweeping historical epic combining elements of romance, political intrigue, war action, and sincere drama. Director Warren Beatty seamlessly blends all these genres together into the magnificent, fervent, and inspiring script he co-wrote.

Beatty's and Keaton's on-screen chemistry is unmistakable, and (dare I say it?) rivals that of the melodrama-ridden tirades of Bogart and Bacall; although it admittedly lacks the loveable campiness, opting instead to focus on more believable love affair.

The cinematography is beautiful; every shot is flawless, even when it shows nothing but the grimy streets of snow-laden Russia.

"The witnesses," a stroke of genius from Beatty, are the perfect solution to avoiding the clichéd expositional scenes in historical movies; they also provide a wonderful, firm historical background, essentially grounding the (already brilliant) film into realism.

Simply put, Reds is nothing short of a masterpiece.