Marie Kean | Scott's Film Reviews-1,528 Reviews posted!!! RECENTLY LAUNCHED-MY TOP 250 FAVORITE FILMS AND TOP 40 HORROR FILMS!!!

Barry Lyndon-1975

Director Stanley Kubrick

Starring Ryan O’Neal, Marisa Berenson, Patrick Magee

Top 250 Films #44

Scott’s Review #211

Reviewed January 4, 2015

Grade: A

Barry Lyndon (1975) is a sprawling, beautiful film by famed director Stanley Kubrick. The film is set in the 18th century.

Extremely slow-paced yet mesmerizing, every shot looks like a portrait, and the inventive use of real candlelight in certain scenes makes this film a spectacle in its subdued beauty, to say nothing of the gorgeous sets and costumes.

The film is nothing short of a marvel to view.

The story centers around Ryan O’Neal, who plays an Irishman named Redmond Barry.

Redmond is a poor Irishman, but he is an opportunist. The film follows his life as he travels throughout Ireland, England, and Germany, becoming involved in duels, being robbed, impersonating an officer, being reduced to a servant, gambling, marrying a rich widow, and feuding with his stepson.

When he woos and marries the wealthy Countess of Lyndon, he settles in England to enjoy a life of wealth and sophistication. He changes his name to Barry Lyndon.

His ten-year-old stepson, Lord Bullingdon, becomes a lifelong enemy as their hatred escalates, and he is the focal point of Act II of the film.

The supporting cast is filled with unique characters, and in particular, the three sinister characters (Lord Bullingdon, Mother Barry, and Reverend Runt) are delicious to watch, especially when they square off against one another, as with Runt and Mother Barry.

Barry’s two love interests (Lady Lyndon and a German war widow) are entertaining to watch, and Lady Lyndon’s costumes are exquisite. Furthermore, Chevalier de Balibar, a wealthy gambler who takes Barry under his wing, is a delight.

As with many masterpieces, the film would not be as wonderful without the great casting.

My three favorite scenes include the vicious confrontation between Mother Barry and Reverend Runt- an initially polite conversation between two selfish characters gradually spins into viciousness, the duel between Barry Lyndon and Lord Bullingdon- bitter rivals square off in an awkward yet dramatic duel, and when Barry passionately kisses his dying friend- an unexpected homoerotic scene.

Barry Lyndon delves into the issue of class and class distinctions, clearly defining the haves and the have-nots, and the struggles of the poor to obtain wealth by any means and of the wealthy to retain their good fortunes.

With a running time of over three hours, it may initially turn viewers off, but as time goes on, the film will grip the viewer and not let go.

Having now seen Barry Lyndon (1975) four times, I enjoy the film more each time as I become more absorbed in and immersed in the masterpiece.

It’s like a fine wine- it gets better with each taste.

Oscar Nominations: 4 wins-Best Picture, Best Director-Stanley Kubrick, Best Screenplay Adapted from Other Material, Best Scoring: Original Song Score and Adaptation or Scoring: Adaptation (won), Best Costume Design (won), Best Art Direction (won), Best Cinematography (won)

Ryan’s Daughter-1970

Director David Lean

Starring Sarah Miles, Robert Mitchum, Christopher Jones

Top 250 Films #87

Scott’s Review #10

Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: A

Ryan’s Daughter (1970) is a sweeping epic by the masterful director, David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia, A Passage to India, Doctor Zhivago).

The film is sprawling and filled with fabulous locales of oceanic Ireland. Much of the action takes place using exterior scenes, and this is arguably as prominent and important to the film as the story is.

Set in WWI-era Ireland, one will immediately notice the gorgeous Irish landscapes and the brilliant photography involved. This gives the film a timeless look, and one can escape into the scenery itself, forgetting the story, and dream away through the roaring waves.

The intense “storm scene” is second to none as Lean had to wait over a year to film this pivotal scene- and Mother Nature had to cooperate.

The story is twofold: a love story involving a woman torn between her schoolteacher husband and a strapping, yet English (at this time, there was no love lost between the Irish and English), officer. Rosy (Sarah Miles) is headstrong yet kindhearted, the daughter of a local, prominent man.

Her husband, Charles (Robert Mitchum), is dutiful and loyal to a fault. After Rosy’s affair with the British officer, she is deemed a tyrant by the townspeople, while her husband stands by her side.

The second story is political. A strong sense of nationalism runs through the townspeople toward the British. Both stories blend nicely as small-town gossip, and a subsequent witch hunt comes into play.

The village idiot is played brilliantly by John Mills, who won an Academy Award for his efforts.

The story’s main appeal is character-driven, and the audience will surely feel perplexed about whom to root for or empathize with. I know I did. In fact, at different times, one’s loyalties can fluctuate or be challenged.

The film is reminiscent of Doctor Zhivago (1965) to me, as romance and politics intertwine, and a dilemma involving the central female characters is similar. At over three hours, the film does not drag and remains interesting throughout, as the conflict and drama reach a crescendo in the final act.

At no time is there any filler or unnecessary scenes, which, in itself, is a positive.

Sadly, Ryan’s Daughter is not considered as worthy as other aforementioned David Lean efforts, but I disagree with this- the film ages exceptionally well, like a fine wine.

This film also focuses mainly on a female character and, therefore, is female-driven, a remarkable aspect of the film, circa 1970.

Oscar Nominations: 2 wins-Best Actress-Sarah Miles, Best Supporting Actor-John Mills (won), Best Sound, Best Cinematography (won)