In "the public" an unusually bitter Arctic blast has made its way to downtown Cincinnati and the front doors of the public library where the action of the film takes place. The story revolves around the library patrons, many of whom are homeless, mentally ill and marginalized, as well as an exhausted and overwhelmed staff of librarians who often build emotional connections and a sense of obligation to care for those regular patrons. At odds with library officials over how to ... (Full plot summary below)
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In "the public" an unusually bitter Arctic blast has made its way to downtown Cincinnati and the front doors of the public library where the action of the film takes place. The story revolves around the library patrons, many of whom are homeless, mentally ill and marginalized, as well as an exhausted and overwhelmed staff of librarians who often build emotional connections and a sense of obligation to care for those regular patrons. At odds with library officials over how to handle the extreme weather event, the Patrons turn the building into a homeless shelter for the night by staging an "Occupy" sit in. What begins as an act of civil disobedience becomes a stand off with police and a rush-to-judgment media constantly speculating about what's really happening. This David versus Goliath story tackles some of our nation's most challenging issues, homelessness and mental illness and sets the drama inside one of the last bastions of democracy-in-action: your public library.
Leave your thoughts about The Public.
| National Newspaper Publishers Association Dwight BrownHumorous, impactful and poignant. With a little extra tooling, it would also make a great Broadway play. |
| Reel Film ReviewsDavid NusairThe Public is rife with heavy-handed, subtle-as-a-heart-attack type elements designed to perpetuate his agenda... |
| We Live EntertainmentScott MenzelThe Public is a feel-good crowd-pleaser about the power of social justice. |
| User ReviewRay BAmazing movie. Surprisingly entertaining. Shining a bright light on dark places in our daily lives. |
| User ReviewScott CSeen this movie at a screening, and as someone who works in the library and faces thee issues daily I was pleased to see that a lot of the references were on point and not highly sensationalized or that the movie was not overshadowed by the casts. |
