During the roaring 20’s the art of silent film had taken over the world. With new ideas came the idea of sound in motion pictures. Covering from 1926 to 1932, many changes in the movie industry took place as well as in the world. This story covers the transition from silent to sound through the eyes of four courageous individuals.
Creating and making films was booming for Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt), a rich actor that was successful in silent film and popular among the film community, but finding new talent can happen by happenstance. When Nellie LaRoy (Margot Robbie), a girl from the slums of Los Angeles that will do anything to become famous, and Manny Torres (Diego Calva), a Mexican immigrant that has the ability to accomplish anything, pop onto the scene for Jack. With their brilliance the production companies moved into the new world of music and sound.
As music began to thrive in the motion pictures Sidney Palmer (Jovan Adepo), a black musician that will take any job that might help him move out of the slums, became the sound that was needed to help the market bloom. Fame and fortune was thrust upon these new found stars and how they approached this new lifestyle will tell what the future in tails.
Director Damien Chazelle brings together an extreme film that expresses and displays what the times were like during the growth of the film industry. He tells the story through the eyes of several characters and displays how hard life was to most outside of the motion pictures. Damien also expresses how the wealthy enjoy life through sex, drugs, and all night parties.
An excellent depiction of the transition from silent to sound pictures displays a lot of nudity, sex, drugs, violence, and disgusting scenes to portray how this era of time existed. With the beginning of fun and enjoyment it then moves on to a slow dragging theme that begins to display scenes that were just not needed, but does give an accurate look at this interesting period.
Final Comment: I based my grade on excessive sex scenes, and a drawn out storyline.
Stars 3 out of 5
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Samara Weaving, George Munn, Eric Roberts, Flea, Jeff Garlin, and Tobey Maguire.
Directed and written by: Damien Chazelle
Genre: Comedy, Drama, and History
MPAA Rating:
Running Time: 3 hours and 8 minutes.
Release Date: December 23, 2022
Distributed By: Paramount Pictures
Release In: Dolby Digital and Standard.
