The Front

The Front

Plot

Directed by Martin Ritt and released in 1976, The Front is a black comedy film set against the backdrop of the Red Scare in 1950s America. The movie revolves around the life of Howard Prince, played by Woody Allen, a cashier at a deli who poses as a writer to help his fellow blacklistees submit their work. The film showcases the difficulties faced by the individuals who were wrongly accused and blacklisted during the McCarthy era. The story begins with Howard Prince, a meek and unassuming deli cashier, living a mundane life in New York City. He's surrounded by the vibrant culture and intellectual discussions of the city, yet, he remains uninvolved. However, this all changes when his best friend, a writer and playwright, Jack Frey, is blacklisted by the Hollywood Blacklist Committee due to allegations of being a communist sympathizer. As a result, Jack is unable to find work or sell his writing. Moved by his friend's situation, Howard decides to pose as a writer, Jack Frey, for the film and television industry. He uses this ruse to submit his friends' work, earning them a living and giving them creative outlets. Howard becomes a sort of literary 'fixer,' helping to get his friends' work past the censors and into production. As Howard becomes more and more involved in his friends' lives, he witnesses firsthand the devastating effects of the Red Scare on individuals who are accused of being communists. This pushes him to take a stand and ultimately decides to stop being a silent bystander. He realizes that by pretending to be something he's not, he becomes complicit in the injustices surrounding him. As Howard navigates his new role in the film industry, he faces challenges from within and outside. His employers begin to suspect that he is not the person they hired, and he struggles to keep up the charade. Additionally, he is confronted with the moral dilemmas of being an 'accomplice' to the very system that's causing harm. His growing unease is compounded by the increasingly paranoid atmosphere in the country, with everyone under suspicion and scrutiny. The Front takes a satirical look at the hysteria and fear that fueled the McCarthy era, which saw thousands of innocent people lose their livelihoods, face imprisonment, or worse, due to trumped-up charges of communism. The film highlights the absurdity of the situation, where people were forced to name names of suspected communists in an attempt to 'cleanse' society of perceived radicals. With Woody Allen taking on a supporting role, The Front showcases his unique comedic style and his ability to play both the victim and the activist. His portrayal of Howard Prince brings a likable and relatable quality to the character. The performances of Zero Mostel, Michael Murphy, and Herschel Bernardi add to the richness of the movie, as they bring depth and pathos to their respective characters. The film also received critical acclaim for its script, which masterfully captured the anxieties and frustrations of living during a paranoid time. The script cleverly navigates the complexities of loyalty, guilt, and social responsibility, creating an engaging narrative that leaves viewers invested in the characters' struggles. Overall, The Front is a gripping exploration of one man's fight for justice and morality during a tumultuous period in American history. Howard's transformation from a meek bystander to an outspoken activist is powerful, compelling, and deeply relatable.

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