Reds
1981, PG, 195 min.
D: Warren Beatty; with Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson.

Warren Beatty directs and stars in this dramatic rendering of the life of American journalist John Reed (Ten Days That Shook the World) and his involvement in the Communist Party and the Bolshevik Revolution. The film also recounts Reed’s love affair with the independent-minded writer Louise Bryant (Keaton). The history the film brings to life is generally fascinating, although the romantic aspects of the story are weakened by their conventional treatment. Reds, however, won three Oscars: for direction, best supporting actress (Maureen Stapleton as Emma Goldman), and cinematography (Vittorio Storaro).

This article appears in August 11 • 2000.

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Marjorie Baumgarten is a film critic and contributing writer at The Austin Chronicle, where she has worked in many capacities since the paper's founding in 1981. She served as the Chronicle's Film Reviews editor for 25 years.