THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 14, 1994 TAG: 9410140058
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER BENTON, TEENOLOGY MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
THE LATE 1950s was an era of innocence. Television was in its infancy, and everyone tuned in to see their favorite quiz shows and the contestants, who were treated as celebrities. The breakdown of this naivete is the focus of ``Quiz Show.''
Ralph Fiennes and John Turturro star as two contestants in the rigged NBC game show ``Twenty-One''.
Fiennes is excellent as the game show golden boy, Charles Van Doren, who rises to national stardom after 14 weeks as reigning quiz show champ. Hailing from a prominent intellectual family, Van Doren is just what the producers need to boost ratings, which they overwhelmingly get - and hold on to by feeding him answers. Fiennes's tortured-but-cool performance is right on target; he even sweats sincerely.
Turturro shines as the underdog spaz from Queens, Herbert Stempel. When the producers of ``Twenty-One'' decide that Stempel isn't hauling home the ratings any longer, they cut his trivia umbilical cord and bring in Van Doren. A disgruntled Stempel files suit against ``Twenty-One.''
The real star in this film is Rob Morrow from TV's ``Northern Exposure.'' Morrow plays Harvard law graduate Richard Goodwin, who becomes intrigued with Stempel's claims. He is cocky, intellectual and irresistibly charming. Morrow makes the transition from TV to film flawlessly.
Only Christopher MacDonald, who plays ``Twenty-One'' host Jack Barry, seems unfit in his role. MacDonald's voice too soon turns monotone, and he lacks the charismatic panache of a game show host.
``Quiz Show'' proves again that director Robert Redford possesses talent both on and off camera. He pulls stellar performances out of his stars and films gorgeous footage with dramatic camera angles. The final scene, mildly reminiscent of ``A Few Good Men,'' is especially pivotal.
``Quiz Show'' is based on a chapter from Richard Goodwin's book ``Remembering America.'' It is proof that sometimes life is more interesting than fiction. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Jennifer Benton is a Lakeland High senior.
by CNB