Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond Heavyweight Presents: The Messenger
Nov 11, 2025
This fascinating episode explores a young man's unexpected journey from a promising film career to disillusionment. It delves into the lie behind a big-budget movie, revealing the tangled motives of a deceitful director. As the protagonist grapples with embarrassment and a career pivot to TV writing, the search for answers unfolds, bringing in the anger of a real-life family wronged by the deception. Finally, the tangled web of lies leads to a poignant reconciliation, highlighting the complexities of storytelling and personal growth.
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Teen Cast As Lead Then Movie Collapses
- Michael auditioned for a Cleveland film and was cast as the lead in The Messenger, believing he had real talent and a big premiere ahead.
- The film was later canceled when the director's fabrication about the real veteran was exposed, crushing Michael's expected breakout.
Truth Was Already Powerful Enough
- The Messenger based its appeal on a small historical anecdote that felt powerful enough without fabrication.
- Quincy's decision to invent a dying veteran shifted the story from evocative truth to contested fiction and provoked backlash.
Director Staged A Fake Veteran Interview
- Quincy staged a fake deathbed interview using a museum tour guide after investigators couldn't locate the real Thomas E. Jones.
- The real Jones's family discovered the fabrication and demanded the film be pulled, causing national scandal.