Cradle Will Rock (R)

Art and politics and ideals; mature.

(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the movie? Review it
470.jpg
Movie details
  • Studio: Disney
  • Directed By: Tim Robbins
  • Release Date: 12/21/1999
  • Genre: Drama
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • MPAA Explanation: language, nudity, and sexual references

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has strong language, nudity, including an artist's nude models, and sexual references, including references to homosexuality.

Families can talk about how Welles went on to annoy one of the most powerful men in the country, William Randolph Hearst, with his next project, Citizen Kane, number one on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 greatest movies. Teens might want to read more about Nelson Rockefeller and check out Diego Rivera's surviving murals at http://www.diegorivera.com. For more on the Federal theater project, read Hallie Flanagan: A Life in the American Theatre, by Joanne Bentley or Flanagan's own book, Arena: The Story of the Federal Theatre.

Message

Social Behavior:

A theme of the movie

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Social drinking

Violence

None Tense scenes, some scuffling

Sex

Nude models, topless woman, sexual references

Language

Yes

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

Constructed by writer/director Tim Robbins to show characters with a range of dilemmas and priorities, CRADLE WILL ROCK depicts artists who want to make political statements, artists who want to make money, and artists who are thrilled by art for its beauty. The director -- 22-year-old Orson Welles, just before going to Hollywood to make Citizen Kane -- simply says that his goal is 'to [annoy] all the right people." A young businessman (Nelson Rockefeller) wants to use his fortune for art -- as long as its message is one that does not make him too uncomfortable. An older businessman wants to use his fortune to buy Old Masters -- and to buy the support of politicians, so he can make more money.

Is it any good?

4

How do you stay true to ideals when there is pressure to compromise in order to make a living? How can you sell without selling out? These questions are provocatively posed in "mostly true" intersecting stories surrounding a pro-union play funded -- and then closed -- by the U.S. government.

Today's teens live in a world in which politicians squabble about whether an "elephant dung Madonna" should be hung in a government-funded museum exhibit and rap stars famous for being outrageous and outspoken issue bowdlerized versions of their recordings in order to meet the requirements of chain stores. Older teens, who try to grapple with the problem of holding onto integrity in a complicated world, will appreciate the way those issues are raised in this movie. Teens should notice the irony and symbolism, like the rich people dressing as Marie Antoinette's court for a costume party and the opening newsreel showing art being censored in Nazi Germany.

Other choices

Parents and kids say

Be the first to post a review.

Log in or Register to post a review
Review It

Great Fantasy Books for Harry Potter Fans

Great Fantasy Books for Harry Potter Fans
Which fantasy book creature has the best name?
Fluffy (3-headed dog, Harry Potter)
50%
Mister Grin (giant crocodile, Peter and the Starcatchers)
0%
Vermicious Knid (shapeshifting monster, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator)
0%
The Incredibly Deadly Viper (harmless snake, Series of Unfortunate Events)
0%
Bunnicula (vampire bunny, Bunnicula series)
50%
2 votes