Introducing Agent-o-rama: build, trace, evaluate, and monitor stateful LLM agents in Java or Clojure

Example agent

As the report is being generated or when it’s finished, you can open the Agent-o-rama UI at http://localhost:1974 .

Here’s an example back and forth:

Enter a topic: What's the influence and legacy of Billy Wilder?

Do you have any feedback on this set of analysts? Answer 'yes' or 'no'.

{"role" "Film Historian", "affiliation" "University of California, Los Angeles", "name" "Dr. Lucy Reynolds", "description" "Specializes in post-war American cinema and the contributions of filmmakers like Wilder. Focuses on Wilder's stylistic innovations and narrative techniques, exploring how they shaped modern filmmaking."}
{"role" "Cultural Critic", "affiliation" "Film Critic Magazine", "name" "Michael Chen", "description" "Analyzes the social and cultural impacts of Wilder's films, particularly in relation to gender and race issues. Concerned with how Wilder's work reflects and influences societal norms."}
{"role" "Cinema Studies Scholar", "affiliation" "New York University", "name" "Professor John Hartman", "description" "Investigates the legacy of classic Hollywood directors, with an emphasis on Wilder. His work focuses on the interplay between commercial success and artistic integrity in Wilder's films."}
{"role" "Screenwriter and Director", "affiliation" "Independent Filmmaker", "name" "Emma Thompson", "description" "Explores the thematic elements in Wilder's storytelling, particularly humor and satire. Engages with Wilder's ability to blend genres and how this influences contemporary narrative structures."}
>> no

# The Enduring Influence of Billy Wilder

## Introduction

Billy Wilder's legacy in Hollywood cinema is marked by his unparalleled ability to blend commercial success with artistic integrity. This report delves into Wilder's impact, highlighting his innovative storytelling techniques and social critiques through iconic films like "Sunset Boulevard," "The Apartment," and "Double Indemnity." We explore how his personal experiences shaped his keen observational skills and narrative style, as well as how his work laid the groundwork for contemporary storytelling and the exploration of gender dynamics. Ultimately, Wilder’s films illustrate the enduring relevance of balancing humor, critique, and emotional depth in cinema.

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Billy Wilder stands as a towering figure in cinema, adept at fusing commercial viability with artistic integrity. His films often strike a delicate balance between engaging mainstream audiences and provoking critical reflection on serious themes, as exemplified in "Sunset Boulevard" (1950). This film vividly critiques the dark side of fame and highlights Wilder's unique ability to craft narratives that resonate deeply with viewers while navigating complex moral landscapes. His background as an Austrian émigré and early career as a screenwriter supplied him with the observational prowess necessary to convey the multifaceted nature of human experiences, allowing his work to transcend mere entertainment and engage with profound social commentary [1].

Wilder's amalgamation of humor and satire serves as a compelling vehicle for addressing serious social issues, influencing contemporary screenwriters to adopt similar techniques. Films like "Some Like It Hot" and "The Apartment" showcase his signature style, where humor enriches the narrative while prompting reflection on societal norms and human behavior. This approach remains pervasive in the works of modern filmmakers, illustrating Wilder's constructed legacy in storytelling that encourages the interplay of comedic elements and deeper thematic explorations. Notable contemporary films such as "The Big Sick" and "Parasite" echo these traditions, suggesting that humor can coexist with critical commentary and profound moral questions [2].

Central to Wilder's storytelling innovations is his ability to meld humor with dark themes, employing non-linear narratives and flashbacks in movies like "Double Indemnity" and "The Apartment." These techniques reveal complex character motivations and provide a framework for rich, layered narratives. Wilder’s knack for sharp dialogue and intricate comedic timing enhances this social commentary, resonating with audiences across generations. The blend of genres within his films also paved the way for a more diverse cinematic landscape, allowing modern filmmakers to challenge conventions and push creative boundaries [3].

Particularly significant is Wilder's exploration of gender dynamics in "The Apartment," where the protagonist Fran Kubelik's experiences reflect the challenges faced by women within a patriarchal corporate structure. The film critiques the objectification of women through key scenes and deft cinematography, simultaneously highlighting moral ambiguity and emotional depth. This examination of gender roles emphasizes the importance of authentic relationships in a transactional world, underlining the resonance of Wilder's critiques within contemporary discussions surrounding gender and power [4].

In conclusion, Billy Wilder's influence is multifaceted, shaping both the narrative and thematic dimensions of modern cinema. His legacy emerges from an enduring ability to captivate audiences while addressing the intricacies of human behavior, societal constructs, and moral dilemmas. Through a unique blend of artistry and commercial appeal, Wilder set a standard for storytelling that continues to inspire filmmakers and storytellers today.


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## Conclusion

Billy Wilder's cinematic legacy is a testament to his exceptional ability to balance artistry and commercial appeal. His films, including "Sunset Boulevard," "The Apartment," and "Double Indemnity," not only entertained audiences but also provoked critical thought on profound societal themes and human dynamics. Through innovative storytelling techniques and a distinctive blend of humor and critique, Wilder paved the way for contemporary writers and filmmakers. His enduring influence can be seen in the way modern narratives confront gender dynamics and moral complexities, demonstrating that engaging storytelling can exist alongside rich thematic exploration. Ultimately, Wilder's impact remains a vital reference point in the evolution of cinema.

## Sources
[1] Interview with Professor John Hartman on the legacy of Billy Wilder.  
[2] https://glcoverage.com/2025/01/23/billy-wilder-screenwriting-tips/  
[3] Culture Vulture | Counter Culture  
[4] Breaking Down the Storytelling in Billy Wilder's 'The Apartment' https://nofilmschool.com/apartment-storytelling-breakdown  
[5] Analysis of ‘The Apartment’ – Infinite Ocean - Mawr Gorshin  https://mawrgorshin.com/2022/08/20/analysis-of-the-apartment/  
[6] On its 60th anniversary, Billy Wilder’s The Apartment looks like an indictment of toxic masculinity - AV Club  https://www.avclub.com/on-its-60th-anniversary-billy-wilder-s-the-apartment-l-1844004988  

This code says that the node’s name is “write-report”, the node emits to the node “finish-report”, and the node’s implementation is the given function. The agentNode / agent-node argument is how you interact with the graph to return a result, emit to other nodes, or get agent objects like models, database connections, or anything else. When you emit to other nodes, you simply say what node you want to emit to and what arguments to pass to that node. Agent nodes run on virtual threads, so they can be efficiently written in a blocking style like this.

1. Download the latest Rama release from here.
2. Unpack the release somewhere.
3. Run: ./rama devZookeeper &
4. Run: ./rama conductor &
5. Run: ./rama supervisor &
6. Visit: http://localhost:8888 . When the page loads, the cluster is ready.
7. Download the latest Agent-o-rama release from here.
8. Unpack it somewhere.
9. Run: ./aor --rama /path/to/rama-root &

The Java version will build target/java-examples-with-dependencies.jar , and the Clojure version will build target/agent-o-rama-examples-1.0.0-SNAPSHOT-standalone.jar .

Next, to deploy the module just run this command:

Now it’s up and running! You can view the agent in the UI at http://localhost:1974 and play with it. From the agent screen you can invoke the agent with the arguments ["", {"topic": "your topic here"}] . On the trace, you’ll be able to see any human input prompts the agent makes and respond to them there.

Resources

Conclusion