"A guitar beats a woman every time," and while I don't know about that, I would say it probably beats this movie! This quote couldn't better exemplify the womanizing, obnoxious, egotistical character of Larry "Lonesome" Rhodes, played by Andy Griffith. This movie gives an accurate depiction of how power granted through fame in the media can corrupt someone, but as far as entertainment value is concerned it is lackluster and repetitive. The cheesy and over-dramatized acting leaves something to be desired, while the plot is sluggish and drawn out. Lonesome Rhodes is a drunk hiding from the pressures and responsibilities of life when he is discovered by Marcia Jeffries, played by Patricia Neal. She meets Lonesome while broadcasting her radio show appropriately named "A Face in the Crowd," from the county jail. She becomes intoxicated with his rambunctious and powerful personality, and persuades him to become a regular on her radio show. His booming voice, maniacal (and annoying) laugh, and down-home honesty captivate his audience. It turns out America loves him just as much as Marcia, and as Lonesome's ratings increase, so does his ego. Through his success Marcia becomes the woman behind the force, but also becomes a woman in pain. Despite his invariable philandering, Marcia's naivete lets her trust and believe his steady stream of lies and unfulfilled promises. This becomes a prolonged theme in the movie that quickly gets tiresome. All this leads up to an anticlimactic ending salvaged only by Walter Matthau's honest and candid monologue. As the release of the 50th anniversary DVD approaches, I would strongly recommend that you spend your money elsewhere.
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