Review of Cradle Will Rock

I have admired Tim Robbin's work as a director and actor. Yet Cradle Will Rock was fell far short of what Tim Robbins is capable of. The acting and energetic performances in this film was enough to keep me watching, but I could not help but wonder how such a disorganized film came to be made. First of all, it very loosely connects so many events that you are left unsatisfied with all of them--not one is completely explored. The most interesting plotline of the film--the political feud between the federal theater project and representative Dies. Next, Robbins makes a blunder that I cannot accept from any filmmaker--he tells the audience what to think. In Dead Man Walking he had the ability to present a very poignant view both for and against capital punishment. Here, there is no such attempt. What is even more baffling, is this shallow view of the situation. It was not just about art and politics as this story would suggest. Economic factors came into play also. By the end of this film, it has disintegrated into a goofy exercise in politics and poor story-telling despite outstanding performances from the cast.