Stanley Kubrick. What name! What movies! Almost every single movie of his that I have seen I have liked. Only sixteen movies of which at least ten movies that range from very good to classic. Seems very unrealistic, doesn't it? Prior to this I had watched six of his films and now have told myself that to expect his other movies to be great may lead to disappointment. The last couple of movies that I have seen of his I started with average expectations. In my opinion 'Barry Lyndon' is better than a good film.
1. I don't think Kubrick has repeated his lead actors in any film. Has he? So that's one thing I look forward to in Kubrick's films. New faces who will give a good performances. Ryan O'Neal and the actor playing his stepson give decent acting performances.
2. If there is one director who can handle any genre of cinema it has to be Stanley Kubrick. Is there anyone else? He has done sci-fi, heist, ultra-violence, war, court-room drama, sex, horror.......In as few as sixteen films he has covered a broad spectrum.
3. The story of 'Barry Lyndon' although not different it is not totally predictable. It seems to slow down a little in the second half but the final duel covers up for this. We can see the end coming, in fact even predict good portions of it. Redmond Barry is transformed in this movie. We can all see it coming after an hour into the film just because we know where this transformation is going.
4. But 'Barry Lyndon' is not about the story as much as it is about how it is told. Personally, I like the first half, or 'Part 1', where Redmond Barry runs away from home and joins the war. Then he is captured by the Prussians and fights his own people! I kept telling myself this is the story of a coward, I even found the first half funny. The scene where Barry breaks down in front of The Chavalier to me was damn funny. I seriously thought this was a comedy below the surface of what is known as a period film. But then Barry Lyndon's ill-treatment of his stepson sets up the final act.
5. The character of Barry is very interesting to me. The early scenes show him very shy and in love. But suddenly he is transformed when he sees a pal die in war. After that he is a plain opportunist. In many ways this is an extra-ordinary story. It is the story of a con-man, an impostor, which is familiar to regular Bollywood followers. This is where Stanley Kubrick steps in and makes 'Barry Lyndon' what it is.
6. I loved the music in this film. This was funny to me too. During times of war and scenes of death the music that was playing sounded more like a nursery rhyme to me! Unbelievable as it may seem such were my thoughts in the scenes of war. That does not mean I didn't like the music.
7. Finally, I have a problem with the duel. Beautifully shot! I loved the location and the birds flying around. The sound mixing or editing or whatever it is called was superb. I am now starting to realise how sounds create an atmosphere and tension. At moments of tension it happens to me when I start hearing every small sound. I got the same feeling here. Coming back to my problem with this duel. Being the opportunist that Barry has been all through the film I could not see the reason for him to spare his stepson. Why does he let his son live? It seemed out of character to me. Maybe more thought and another viewing will clarify this but I don't have the patience for it right now.
8. Oh! I liked the performance Frank Middlemass. He is not there for more than a minute but it was a good strong performance. I guess the lines given to him were to so strong it seemed he acted well.
CONCLUSION: Engaging first half, steady second half, good performances by those mentioned, the final duel, great music and Kubrick's touch make this worth a watch.
RATING: 3.5/5
1. I don't think Kubrick has repeated his lead actors in any film. Has he? So that's one thing I look forward to in Kubrick's films. New faces who will give a good performances. Ryan O'Neal and the actor playing his stepson give decent acting performances.
2. If there is one director who can handle any genre of cinema it has to be Stanley Kubrick. Is there anyone else? He has done sci-fi, heist, ultra-violence, war, court-room drama, sex, horror.......In as few as sixteen films he has covered a broad spectrum.
3. The story of 'Barry Lyndon' although not different it is not totally predictable. It seems to slow down a little in the second half but the final duel covers up for this. We can see the end coming, in fact even predict good portions of it. Redmond Barry is transformed in this movie. We can all see it coming after an hour into the film just because we know where this transformation is going.
4. But 'Barry Lyndon' is not about the story as much as it is about how it is told. Personally, I like the first half, or 'Part 1', where Redmond Barry runs away from home and joins the war. Then he is captured by the Prussians and fights his own people! I kept telling myself this is the story of a coward, I even found the first half funny. The scene where Barry breaks down in front of The Chavalier to me was damn funny. I seriously thought this was a comedy below the surface of what is known as a period film. But then Barry Lyndon's ill-treatment of his stepson sets up the final act.
5. The character of Barry is very interesting to me. The early scenes show him very shy and in love. But suddenly he is transformed when he sees a pal die in war. After that he is a plain opportunist. In many ways this is an extra-ordinary story. It is the story of a con-man, an impostor, which is familiar to regular Bollywood followers. This is where Stanley Kubrick steps in and makes 'Barry Lyndon' what it is.
6. I loved the music in this film. This was funny to me too. During times of war and scenes of death the music that was playing sounded more like a nursery rhyme to me! Unbelievable as it may seem such were my thoughts in the scenes of war. That does not mean I didn't like the music.
7. Finally, I have a problem with the duel. Beautifully shot! I loved the location and the birds flying around. The sound mixing or editing or whatever it is called was superb. I am now starting to realise how sounds create an atmosphere and tension. At moments of tension it happens to me when I start hearing every small sound. I got the same feeling here. Coming back to my problem with this duel. Being the opportunist that Barry has been all through the film I could not see the reason for him to spare his stepson. Why does he let his son live? It seemed out of character to me. Maybe more thought and another viewing will clarify this but I don't have the patience for it right now.
8. Oh! I liked the performance Frank Middlemass. He is not there for more than a minute but it was a good strong performance. I guess the lines given to him were to so strong it seemed he acted well.
CONCLUSION: Engaging first half, steady second half, good performances by those mentioned, the final duel, great music and Kubrick's touch make this worth a watch.
RATING: 3.5/5
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