The Public

It's the middle of the winter in Cincinnati, and there's a killing freeze. At the main public library, the homeless are looking for a litle warmth, as well as a way to fill their days. One of the senior librarians, Emilio Estevez, doesn't want them them out in the deadly cold. Instead, he lets them stay overnight, and stays with them, as aspiring politician Christian Slater tries to get the police to turn it into a law-and-order coup for him, and police negotiator Alec Baldwin tries to understand what is going on.

It's Estevez' sixth movie as director, and his first film appearance in eight years, and it's simultaneously hopeful, depressing and inspiring, with Steinbeck's THE GRAPES OF WRATH frequently referenced. It's also a fine piece of film making, with something to say about many of the subjects that concern people who still like to think with head and feel with their hearts: the purpose and survival of libraries, the mental health crisis, the inability and unwillingness of society to deal with its issues. Estevez's performance is low-key, and affecting, letting the situation and his despair leak into the audience. Other fine performances include Gabrielle Union as a TV news reporter looking for an easily understood narrative, Geoffrey Wright as Estevez' sympathetic and beleaguered boss, and Rhymefest as one of the mentally ill homeless.

This amazing movie shows you the tip of the iceberg of the heart of libraries and why they are the most important organizations in our communities. After laughing, crying, and cheering, i jumped up for a standing ovation on this portrayal of the profession I've dedicated my life to for over thirty years. Thank you Emilio Estevez, the cast, and crew for this film.

When I saw this, there were only 2 of us in the theater and that's a shame since this is a good movie that should be seen by everyone. Good acting, direction and writing. It needs more publicity!

Just need to balance it out, here. Alec didn't ruin the movie. It was pretty damn good all around.

Just when you are fed up with the stupidity of most movies these days, and fear that craps like marvel will devour the whole cinema , that is when a bright ray of sunshine gives you hope in the form of "The Public".

And who better to do this than talented Mr Esevez? Just when you are longing for masterpieces like Breakfast Club, he travels from that school library and lands in another library to tell us this moving story.

It makes you laugh, it makes you cry. It makes you happy and it makes you sad. But most importantly it gives you hope. Thank you Mr Estevez for this beautiful 'sunshiny' day.