Ragtime

At the turn of the 20th century, New York City teeters on the brink of chaos as racial tensions, infidelity, and violence simmer just below the surface. A young black pianist, Coalhouse Walker, becomes embroiled in the lives of an upper-class white family after discovering he is the father of their abandoned African American baby, and a subsequent quest for justice leads to a maelstrom of bigoted volunteer firemen, politician corruption, and public outrage. As Coalhouse's struggles come to a head, the city itself appears to be on the verge of explosion, with its iconic landmarks and cultural icons serving as a backdrop for the searing social commentary that has become a hallmark of this powerful film.