The Front (1976)

In the midst of the 1950s, New York City hums with the story of Howard Prince, a humble restaurant cashier and modest bookmaker. His life takes an unexpected twist when his apolitical existence collides with the harsh realities of the era. His friend, Alfred Miller, a talented screenplay writer, finds himself blacklisted and unable to work. In an act of desperation, Miller proposes a scheme - Prince will sell his scripts under his own name to the TV producers, with a modest commission for his troubles. Tempted by the potential to clear his gambling debts and elevate his lifestyle, Prince acquiesces. This clandestine operation expands as he lends his name to two other blacklisted writers, diving deeper into the shadowy world of ghostwriting. Amid his covert operations, Prince finds himself romantically entwined with Florence Barrett, the principled TV screenplay editor. However, the harsh reality of this unjust system surfaces when Hecky Brown, a veteran actor, is blacklisted and subsequently dismissed by the unyielding producer, Phil Sussman. Florence, appalled by this injustice, resigns, shaking Prince's formerly apolitical stance. The tension escalates, leading to a tragic climax as Brown takes his own life. This shocking event forces Prince to confront the system, making him question his role within this oppressive machinery. "The Front" is a tale of innocence lost, a journey of a man who starts as an oblivious participant in an unjust system and evolves into a resolute adversary against it. This poignant narrative serves as a stark reminder of a dark period in history, exploring the consequences of blind obedience and the courage it takes to defy the status quo.

The Front is a comedy movie featuring Woody Allen.

The Front is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

It is also possible to buy The Front on Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.