The Day of the Locust (film)

The Day of the Locust is a 1975 American drama film directed by John Schlesinger, adapted from Nathanael West's 1939 novel of the same name. The film stars Donald Sutherland, Karen Black, William Atherton, Burgess Meredith, and Geraldine Page.

The film tells the story of Tod Hackett (Atherton), a young Yale graduate who arrives in Hollywood during the late 1930s with aspirations of becoming a set designer. He becomes entangled with a diverse and often desperate cast of characters, including Faye Greener (Black), an aspiring actress; Homer Simpson (Sutherland), a meek and repressed Midwesterner; and Harry Greener (Meredith), Faye's vaudeville-performing father.

The Day of the Locust explores themes of disillusionment, the dark side of the Hollywood dream, the exploitation of human longing, and the potential for mob violence. It depicts a world of broken dreams and unfulfilled desires, where people are driven to extremes by their yearning for fame, fortune, and love. The film culminates in a chaotic and disturbing riot scene outside a movie premiere, representing the pent-up frustration and societal unrest brewing beneath the surface of Hollywood's glamorous facade.

Despite critical praise for its performances, set design, and cinematography (which earned Conrad Hall an Academy Award), the film was not a commercial success upon its initial release. However, it has since gained a cult following and is considered by many to be a significant, if somewhat flawed, adaptation of West's novel. The film's depiction of Hollywood's underbelly and its commentary on American society continue to resonate with audiences.