Elia Kazan may have led a politically controversial life when he named names for HUAC but many of his films brought to light issues that centered on helping the less fortunate in society and discussing the power of government and media to influence people.  One of the those films is 1957’s A Face in The Crowd.

A Face in the Crowd tells the story of Lonesome Rhodes (played by the amazing Andy Griffith), a drunk drifter turned national celebrity/philosopher. His journey starts when local Arkansas radio personality Marcia Jeffries goes to a jail to find interview subjects for her show.   Amongst the drunks and petty thieves she finds Larry “Lonesome” Rhodes, a man with opinions, opinions that specifically seem to be about supporting the common man. When he starts to get more popular, more powerful and richer, he starts to forget the attitude that made people like him in the first place.

Rhodes’ rise and eventual fall becomes a biting satire on advertising, television and politics--all things that couldn’t be more relevant today.  Watching the story shift from little man against the corporations to big man supporting the corporations to even bigger man influencing politics, no doubt had meaning in 1957 but I think is something much more common to today.

The past 8 years and the 2008 election in particular saw a definite trend in politicians pretending to be of the “real people” of America., with lines between drawn between those “real” Americans and the elitists of the East Coast.  Sarah Palin actually reminds me of a not as bright version of Lonesome Rhodes. She came around at the right time, said the right things and somehow connected with a whole bunch of people from a specific demographic.  On that note, celebrities have also become hugely influential in politics and while they often use their influence for good, it is a very interesting thing to consider.

Also, and maybe more importantly, since the time of A Face in the Crowd to today, advertising has grown in all kinds of crazy ways, especially when it comes to pharmaceuticals (one of the first products that Lonesome promotes).  People, it seems, have gotten easier to manipulate and our culture has never been more consumer happy (meaning people want to shop, not that consumers are necessarily happy).

The lesson to be learned here is that money is still the controlling force with it comes down to who is in office and who has influence over that office.  When you vote for candidates (like today) or vote at the store when you buy something don’t let the Lonesome Rhodes of today influence you, instead use your mind, your morals and the things that are actually important to you.

I can’t recommend A Face in the Crowd enough. It’s smart, witty and entertaining. Amidst the politics are love stories (won and lost) and a look at how we choose to follow our dreams.  It is a film anyone can relate to and people should revisit more often, considering its timeliness. Rent it today and for now watch the trailer below.