There's a lot going on in this ambitious new film from writer/director Tim Robbins. So much in fact, it would take much too long to cover so I'll shorten things up a bit.

The story takes place in the 1930's as future film-maker Orson Wells attempts to direct a play that many people in the political circuit consider inappropriate. Through a barrage of interesting characters and intersecting storylines, Robbins attempts to show the process through which the play is produced and the effect it has on the people involved.

First and foremost, Robbins has emerged as a very gifted storyteller. He's jammed Cradle Will Rock with loads of interesting information and although the film is a bit muddled at times, there is no denying the passion that Robbins has for this material.

Robbin's has assembled a dream ensemble with many recognizable faces but the standouts are John Turturro as a passionate actor, Ruben Blades as a politically active painter, Angus Macfadyen as the abrasive Orson Wells, and a heartbreaking Bill Murray as a lonely ventriloquist.

Many will no doubt be bored by the film's pace, but I was compelled most of the time, particularly towards the end when the play is put on. With Bob Roberts, Dead Man Walking and now Cradle Will Rock, Tim Robbins has proven himself to not only be a tremendous actor, but a heck of a film-maker as well.