Not that I was anxiously waiting for it to happen, but we FINALLY lost a legend in film (first since Gene Hackman started this silly theme for the year). Robert Redford towered over film for a long time. First, he was the dashingly handsome star of seemingly every important movie of the 70’s, often having a “handsome-off” with Paul Newman. Then he evolved into more of a filmmaker as he began producing the Sundance Film Festival and directing some great films along the way. Since I have previously written about my top 3 Redford performances (The Sting, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Sneakers), I wanted to look at my top-rated Redford directorial project – Quiz Show (1994, dir. Robert Redford).
Quiz Show is the story behind the rise and fall of Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes), who appeared on the game show Twenty-One in the 1950s. He breaks through initially by defeating a brilliant champion, Herbert Stempel (John Turturro). Van Doren then did very well on the show, setting many records in prize money earned and generating great ratings for the network. The problem was that he was cheating – given answers in advance by producers Dan Enright (David Paymer) and Albert Freedman (Hank Azaria). Much of this was uncovered by a congressional oversight committee, with the investigation being led by Richard Goodwin (Rob Morrow).
It is a relatively simple premise: create a hero from nothing, build them up, tear them down, and discuss the lessons learned. In the hands of a lesser director, it may have been forgotten as a formulaic amplification of one of entertainment history’s less remembered incidents. Redford does not allow that. Paul Attanasio’s script delivers smart people being smart (a pre-Aaron Sorkin rarity in Hollywood), but Redford’s deft touch behind the camera lets us glimpse into the world of erudite Ivy League elites from the eyes of an outsider without much judgment for them simply being smarter than everyone. He reserves judgment for the acts that require it. There is a scene where Van Doren is at his family’s estate, celebrating his father’s birthday (a remarkably good Paul Scofield). They play a game wherein one of them quotes Shakespeare and the other must guess which play it comes from. This scene plays as haughty playful fun for learned professors, but it comes full circle with a simple callback later as Mark Van Doren, the father, learns his son had been cheating. In defense of himself, Charles tries to quote Shakespeare by saying it was his own decision to do this. Mark simply replies, “Your name is mine.” Four words and he ends the game before it can start, and lets Charles know that it is not that simple this time. It works because all the elements come together beautifully.
Sadly, I believe Quiz Show is often overlooked because it had the misfortune of being released the same year as Forrest Gump, Pulp Fiction, and The Shawshank Redemption. Criminally overlooked at the Oscars (it did receive four nominations) due to that large field, I believe its reputation as a great film was subsequently diminished. It has seemingly received a renaissance by standing the test of time. Only Morrow seems out of his league – and his Boston accent deserves a place in the Hall of Shame of the worst movie accents of all time next to Costner’s Robin Hood and every accent John Malkovich has ever attempted.
The story may feel familiar, but the journey is worth the effort. You may vaguely remember hearing about a game show cheating scandal, but it is unlikely you remember or ever knew all the details. How it happened and how it all came tumbling down is a real trip. If you fondly remember Robert Redford, give this film a watch in his honor.
FUN FACT – Fiennes wanted to meet with Van Doren for research and for the most direct influence of his accent possible. Van Doren had been very reclusive since the scandal broke and was thought to be uninterested in helping the production in any manner. Fiennes ended up driving to his home in Connecticut and pretending to be lost to get some interaction with him.
Just Watch says that Quiz Show is currently streaming on Hoopla. It is also available for rent/purchase on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and Fandango.
As a reminder, here is the original post that details the scores and weighting system.