Lunch and a Movie: Quiz Show (1994) In-Person
Bring your lunch (beverages provided) and enjoy two Best Picture also-rans from the banner year of 1994! This riveting film from director Robert Redford fictionalizes the infamous quiz show scandals of the late fifties and early sixties. Herb Stempel (John Turturro) is the reigning champ of the quiz show Twenty-One...but audiences just aren't warming up to him. The showrunners think that Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes), handsome scion of a famous literary family, is a more telegenic champ, and convince Herb to take a dive. Charlie, who longs to make his own mark outside of his family's shadow, goes along despite his misgivings. When the producers go back on their promises of future TV work for Herb, he threatens to reveal the truth...that the champions for this and other quiz shows are pre-selected and given the answers, as long as they can deliver the ratings. Congressional lawyer Richard Goodwin (Rob Morrow) investigates, but is torn between his desire to uncover the truth and the friendship that springs up between himself and Charlie--who embodies a world he's always wanted to be part of. No signups required. Popcorn generously provided by Regal Cinemas.