Wheel of Movie Wonder Spin #11 “Barry Lyndon” (1975)
Added 2024-04-03 15:00:09 +0000 UTCBIG congrats to the WINNER!!!
OK... So there is so much to talk about with this movie. I feel like this movie should be really appreciated! The level of detail and the amazing score, cinematography, set design, costumes and hair and make up is next level AMAZING! The acting and direction was also amazing. Is it a master piece??? I think maybe? For the scale of this movie and what it was able to achieve. The story was great and told well and even though after first watch i'm not 100% in love it's been on my mind since watching it! I actually am excited to watch it again.
Can't wait to chat in the comments.
xx
ames
Comments
The first scene sums up the entire film. The frame is dominated by the natural world, which is cold, majestic, and beautiful. (How many days did they wait to get that gorgeous purple hue in the clouds?) The humans, by contrast, are like tiny, insignificant insects. The duel is hugely important to them, but its result will have absolutely no impact on the world. Modern viewers understandably react to the duels with horror -- "That's insane, why would anyone do that?" But the territorial and colonial wars of the European powers over the last 500 years were even more insane, and participation in those wars was the key way to gain honor and prestige in those societies. (The way the narrator describes the causes of The Seven Years War -- arguably the first world war -- makes it sound about as ridiculous as Barry's father's duel over some horses.)
JM63
2024-04-04 17:55:47 +0000 UTCThe big knock on this film seems to be "Ok, it's pretty and the production is amazing, but why should I care? Everyone is horrible." To me, this film is a nature documentary produced by the Alien version of the Discovery Channel ("Planet Earth: 18th Century Europe"). The narrator takes the role of David Attenborough describing the hunting and mating habits of lions. Naked self-interest is the driving force behind everyone's actions, and there's just some indescribable attraction that compels me to watch. (SPOILERS)
JM63
2024-04-04 17:53:51 +0000 UTC(SPOILERS BELOW) The rise and fall of Barry Lyndon. It was tough to watch Barry crash and burn like that. Much like what we often see in real life, our protagonist is not a hero and the film is not a redemption story. The film was long and it felt every bit as long as it was... and I think deliberately so. To me, Kubrick seems much less interested in the destination than the journey. While I think Ryan O'Neal did a creditable job as Barry, I didn't find him completely convincing. I kept seeing Ryan instead of Barry. I found him to be much more believable in Paper Moon although, to be fair, I think his role in Barry Lyndon was much more demanding and his character arc much more intricate. Thanks for the pick, JM! I'm glad I watched it!
John Courtright
2024-04-04 06:27:28 +0000 UTCBarry Lyndon is a journey, for sure. I'm really glad I was able to watch this film with you for the first time, Ames! I appreciate the artistry! Others have mentioned the lighting, and I agree. There is one shot in particular, with light streaming through a window into a dark room, that reminded me of a Rembrandt painting. Several of the evening silhouette shots are terrific and the music is fabulous throughout! And Marissa Berenson... What a beauty!! The hats, the hair!! The film must have won awards for the amazing costumes!
John Courtright
2024-04-04 06:26:46 +0000 UTC
