Sadly, a mixed bag for what could have been a great, unforgettable film of the 70s. The story (or stories) deal with down and out characters living on the fringes of depression-era Hollywood. Here we have another film that seems to have a real classi... (read more) Sadly, a mixed bag for what could have been a great, unforgettable film of the 70s. The story (or stories) deal with down and out characters living on the fringes of depression-era Hollywood. Here we have another film that seems to have a real classic somewhere inside of it - a great showcase of ensemble acting (one of Sutherland's greatest performances and even Karen Black is good!), beautifully shot, and featuring some really poignant moments (not to mention the most shocking, disturbing, question-raising, stomach-churning, slate-clearing, unexplainable movie climax, one rivalled only by 'Magnolia'). But the whole thing seems bogged down by a screenplay which seems confused by its characters and their motivations, so much so that we as an audience are never quite filled-in on what is truly going on or how we are supposed to feel. That ambiguity works when a film is trying to make a larger statement but this one is very focused on its characters' smaller dramas, and when it comes down to it 'Day of the Locust' is underwriiten in some places, overwritten in others. One is left with a film that feels detatched from its characters and then ultimately confused by what its trying to convey exactly.

Worth watching for Hall's cinematography. Has what could easily be considered one of the most insane endings Hollywood has ever produced. Must be seen to be believed - if you can sit through the initially lukewarm two and a half hours.

A faithful, if slightly overlong adaptation of Nathanael West's novella. This classy 70s film portrays effectively the underbelly to the Hollywood dream.

From a brilliant novel of the unlucky writer Nathanael West. The action takes place in the hollywood babylon of the late 30's, following these odd charachters trying to make it. The result is quite dull, maybe because director John Schlesinger is not... (read more) From a brilliant novel of the unlucky writer Nathanael West. The action takes place in the hollywood babylon of the late 30's, following these odd charachters trying to make it. The result is quite dull, maybe because director John Schlesinger is not able to put the black humour of the book into the movie, and the whole rhytm goes down many times.

Amazing and depressing look at 1930s Hollywood. The film follows several characters who function in below-the-line film jobs as their doldrum lives take dark and bleak turns throughout the film.

An incredible portrait of lost dreams and intense obsession in 1930s Hollywood. Definitely a credit to 1970s cinema.

I wasn't too impressed with this one. It wasn't as engrossing and tragic as the reviews I read made it out to be. All of the acting is pretty good, but I felt a lot of the characters were kind of weak. Especially Karen Black's character, who I didn't... (read more) I wasn't too impressed with this one. It wasn't as engrossing and tragic as the reviews I read made it out to be. All of the acting is pretty good, but I felt a lot of the characters were kind of weak. Especially Karen Black's character, who I didn't really sympathize with or hate; she was in this forgettable shallow middle ground. The ending is the best part, which is genuinely shocking and disturbing, but it wasn't enough to make up for my lack of interest in the rest of the movie. I was hoping for a completely heart-shattering heavy-handed drama that would make me feel like shit afterwards, but instead I felt kind of detached from all of the characters and ended up not really caring.

Extraordinary, terrifying, spine-chilling, one of the "must-see" movies for film fans... Donald Sutherland's and Burgess Meredith's acting is impresive (can' t be described in words). This movie shows, that people are locusts and it's really scary..... (read more) Extraordinary, terrifying, spine-chilling, one of the "must-see" movies for film fans... Donald Sutherland's and Burgess Meredith's acting is impresive (can' t be described in words). This movie shows, that people are locusts and it's really scary...

Oh, scathing indictments of the "Hollywood Machine," will I ever tire of you? No. Should this have made Bill Atherton a star? Yes.

Reminded me of Alejandro Jodorowsky's films. A good ending, I can mentally understand that it's a good film, but I don't think I really understood the whole thing. It was painful movie to watch.. I suppose that was the 30's hollywood, everything is s... (read more) Reminded me of Alejandro Jodorowsky's films. A good ending, I can mentally understand that it's a good film, but I don't think I really understood the whole thing. It was painful movie to watch.. I suppose that was the 30's hollywood, everything is so vain and strained.