Ragtime

Rating:
Summary: Great flick - but let's hope the running time is a typo...
Review: The DVD is not out yet, so the rating is for the movie. Excellent performances almost all the way around, with special kudos to James Cagney, Howard Rollins and the always excellent Kenneth McMillan. (McMillan similarly parlayed a small role into a scene-stealing performance in The Pope Of Greenwich Village, but I digress...). Although narrowing Doctrow's sprawling novel to focus on the Coalhouse Walker story as the epicenter, it's still an amazing ride and a journey worth taking. Most directors can't juggle multiple stories well, but Forman, like Altman, can. And the music is wonderful throughout - icing on the cake.

My main fear is the running time I see listed for this DVD. I seem to remember the movie being almost 3 hours long, and IMDB lists it as 155. This DVD is only 115 minutes? Please don't tell me we have a butcher shop Veg-O-Matic edition (remember the original releases of Once Upon A Time In America? Ugh...)

Rating:
Summary: Bountifully rewarding motion picture !
Review: The return to screen after twenty years of absence of that unique actor with remarkable and powerful magnetic presence : James Cagney , gave to that film a special shining to this anti racism work .
This is a film of revenge , but told so magnificent splendor , with multidirectional narrative lines that will engage you from beginning to end . Carefully filmed , with a superb art direction and outstanding performances . Breathtaking tension in the climax sequence .
To me it is the masterpiece of Milos Foreman , sharing with Amadeus an enviable place , But watch the previous filmography of M.F. in Europe and you will be surprised with the loves of a blond .


Rating:
Summary: An underated classic!
Review: This has long been one of my favorite films. The script, acting, cinematography and set pieces are all breathtaking. I have always felt that this should have been Howard E. Rollins' breakthrough film, but alas that was not to be. Also, seeing Cagney on the big screen once again, actually brought tears to my eyes in the theater. I have worn out my double VHS copy, so having this great film on DVD is a dream come true for me. Rent it or buy it, just watch it.