Often described as a film of the swinging sixties, it of course is nothing of the sort but an important precursor. Even allowing for the lapse between the making and releasing of a film this is vitally, just before. For me the period is 1967 to 1972 and this film released in 1965 has none of the colourful craziness and there really still are youngsters walking about as if it is still the 50s. But never mind this definitely covers the concerns and changing attitudes to personal relationships. It is unfortunate in my view (though perhaps inevitable) that Schlesinger is more interested here in the male characters. Bogarde is absolutely brilliant here and Laurence Harvey who I don't usually like because he seems to stiff is fantastic here in what must be his best role. Julie Christie is fine and looking lovely throughout whilst having to go through far more emotional changes than the guys and there is a orgy in Paris without any flesh visible but where it is the guys taking off clothes faster than any of the girls. There are some marvellous street scenes, London more than Paris and some good ones down by the river near Kew Bridge and Strand on the Green where Christie begins her first affair with Bogarde throwing pebbles into the river. Lots of good stuff but a little overlong because it doesn't quite all hang together as we are asked to agonise of this and that when the issues no longer seem as relevant, never mind that homosexuality would be legalised in a couple of years.
Review of Darling
