I'll go out on a limb with this one. It's great, mainly for the acting and writing, but as a film I think it has a few problems. This is originally a three-act play. The film does a good job of surpassing the limits of a stage performance, with expert camera work and direction by Mike Nichols. It can still feel like it's in three-acts, but that in itself is not an issue, since many films are structured the same way. The first act is flat-out brilliant: biting, very funny dialog and superb ensemble work from the actors. Act two is set, for the film, in a roadside dance bar (still open in the middle of nowhere after 3am and run by senior citizens!).
The first half of this part works well as a change of scene, and the bitter humor is effectively played here, with particular emphasis on movement. But the second half of this section--a long scene in the parking lot between George and Martha--somewhat weakens the whole film. After what we've already seen and heard, we don't really need a rehashing of all the resentments and anger between these people, at least not one this long. Sure, Taylor and Burton are great, but they seem tired (it's nearly 4am by now and the booze has never stopped flowing). Convincing, yes, but unnecessary, and it it can tire out the viewer. I think it should have been shortened to its final moments.
After we see Martha speed off to collect the other couple we get to the final act, and the start of this slows down an already dangerously dragging movie. We get that Martha and Nick have gone up to the bedroom. And we see George's reaction, but do we need a long scene of Martha wandering the huge, dark lawn calling out for the others? By this point, everyone, actors and viewers are pretty worn out. We do need the revelation at the end, but it's all so stretched out, with points already made.
Don't get me wrong. This is still one of my favorite films. It has what some call Richard Burton's greatest movie performance. And it's a vindication for those who thought Taylor was only a beautiful movie star---she, too, has never been better. It can be a hard watch for some, but these two have a poisonous chemistry that is total cinema magic. The other two actors can't be faulted, but up against the powerhouse main couple who could do more than stand back and watch? Yes, Nick and Honey have their moments, and Sandy Dennis with a showier part, will linger in the mind. Flawed, yes in my opinion, but a towering statement about the way some of us find to live with unwanted truths.
The first half of this part works well as a change of scene, and the bitter humor is effectively played here, with particular emphasis on movement. But the second half of this section--a long scene in the parking lot between George and Martha--somewhat weakens the whole film. After what we've already seen and heard, we don't really need a rehashing of all the resentments and anger between these people, at least not one this long. Sure, Taylor and Burton are great, but they seem tired (it's nearly 4am by now and the booze has never stopped flowing). Convincing, yes, but unnecessary, and it it can tire out the viewer. I think it should have been shortened to its final moments.
After we see Martha speed off to collect the other couple we get to the final act, and the start of this slows down an already dangerously dragging movie. We get that Martha and Nick have gone up to the bedroom. And we see George's reaction, but do we need a long scene of Martha wandering the huge, dark lawn calling out for the others? By this point, everyone, actors and viewers are pretty worn out. We do need the revelation at the end, but it's all so stretched out, with points already made.
Don't get me wrong. This is still one of my favorite films. It has what some call Richard Burton's greatest movie performance. And it's a vindication for those who thought Taylor was only a beautiful movie star---she, too, has never been better. It can be a hard watch for some, but these two have a poisonous chemistry that is total cinema magic. The other two actors can't be faulted, but up against the powerhouse main couple who could do more than stand back and watch? Yes, Nick and Honey have their moments, and Sandy Dennis with a showier part, will linger in the mind. Flawed, yes in my opinion, but a towering statement about the way some of us find to live with unwanted truths.