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Ragtime (1981) Reviews

Ragtime (1981)
Member Rating:  
Milos Foreman's cinematic adaptation of E.L. Doctrow's sprawling pop-culture epic Ragtime follows a variety of characters whose lives intertwine during the earliest years of the 20th century. Brad Dourif plays the meek young brother in a wealthy family who ends up helping Coalhouse Walker Jr. (Howard E. Rollins) when the proud black man stands up to the racism that surrounds him with a criminal act that leads to a standoff with a police commissioner (James Cagney - making his return to the big screen after fifteen years away). Secondary characters include a street artist (Mandy Patinkin) who gets his foot in the door of the nascent film business, and a flighty young woman (Elizabeth McGovern) who inspires men who desire her to violence. Randy Newman composed the score, which included a song that earned him his first Oscar nomination. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

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Starring:
James Cagney, Brad Dourif, (more)
Director(s):
Milos Forman
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(10 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

N. H.

I enjoyed the movie mostly because of how well they realized the era. I think it is interesting that many people are concerned, once again, more about the nudity than the violence. The scene near the beginning where a man graphically gets shot in the head shocked me way more than seeing a pair of breasts.

Yes   |   No


Lisa A.

Great seeing James Cagney' swan song performance in this time capsule. Great film, except for glaringly bad screenwriting at the end. Coalhouse Walker has began a hostage takeover/library bombing scenario & demands a swap of the redneck fireman who started the whole problem earlier -- the fireman is awakened & taken to the scene & never turned over or mentioned again, yet Walker seems to forget this is the primary reason he started the whole hostage taking/bombing thing & acquiesces to walking out after the hostage release -- even though the PRIMARY demand he makes was never fulfilled. Maybe I missed something there, but it never materializes which spins the plot into an incomplete feel to it. Other than that. great movie though. The music is fantastic.

Yes   |   No


Scott A.

Very Very Great Movie So many great actors including the late Great James Cagney Too Bad more havn't been made like this one Scott A

Yes   |   No


Jacqueline R.

um, so this was rated as PG before the rating guidlines changed to what they are today

Yes   |   No


AngelaandAshton S.

you will love this movie> If it seems to take a minute to get into full swing, trust me it is well worth the wait. excellent. great date movie. my honey and i thouroughly enjoyed it, and he's not even into drama.

Yes   |   No


Tania C.

The Broadway play, "Ragtime" was awesome - the movie, not so much,

Yes   |   No


John H.

This is a good movie! Even though James Cagney gets top billing his part seems to be almost a bit part and his name is there only as a vehicle to promote the film. With that said, this is still a five star movie, well worth repeated viewings.

Yes   |   No


Gail K.

PG? NAH to much language and Gratuitous Breast seen with Elizabeth McGovern. The story line is good and getting to see James Cagney is worth it, but its just not for kids.

Yes   |   No


Michael B.

Ragtime has some nice music, fine acting and a great feel for the time period. Too bad the story is vague and uncertain. One of the main problems is that the characters are not sympathetic. And how did it get a PG rating? Elizabeth McGovern has a topless sex scene and it is definitely not "brief nudity." I like Mary Steenburgen, but she cheats on her husband and flaunts it in his face. The piano player's standoff with the police makes no sense, and James Cagney is as wooden as I've ever seen him. So, interesting visual and audio, wrapped around a loosy goosy story.

Yes   |   No


Joellen S.

There is no way this is a PG movie. There is 10 minutes of gratuitous nudity!

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (10)
     
    N. H.

    I enjoyed the movie mostly because of how well they realized the era. I think it is interesting that many people are concerned, once again, more about the nudity than the violence. The scene near the beginning where a man graphically gets shot in the head shocked me way more than seeing a pair of breasts.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Lisa A.

    Great seeing James Cagney' swan song performance in this time capsule. Great film, except for glaringly bad screenwriting at the end. Coalhouse Walker has began a hostage takeover/library bombing scenario & demands a swap of the redneck fireman who started the whole problem earlier -- the fireman is awakened & taken to the scene & never turned over or mentioned again, yet Walker seems to forget this is the primary reason he started the whole hostage taking/bombing thing & acquiesces to walking out after the hostage release -- even though the PRIMARY demand he makes was never fulfilled. Maybe I missed something there, but it never materializes which spins the plot into an incomplete feel to it. Other than that. great movie though. The music is fantastic.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Scott A.

    Very Very Great Movie So many great actors including the late Great James Cagney Too Bad more havn't been made like this one Scott A

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 10 Reviews
       

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