Second Best was apparently a vanity project of Alan Bates, made in 1972. It features an attractive woman moping with great determination while she strolls about the countryside with her fictional sister. Between them, the two women kill two moles and make one easy romantic conquest. That's about it.
This film is poorly photographed and indifferently acted. There is no character development to speak of.
Why did Criterion include this in its deluxe edition of "Women in Love"? The presence of Alan Bates in both, and the shared D.H. Lawrence connection make it seem logical on paper. But the vast gap in quality only underscores how poor a thing "Second Best" actually is.
This film is poorly photographed and indifferently acted. There is no character development to speak of.
Why did Criterion include this in its deluxe edition of "Women in Love"? The presence of Alan Bates in both, and the shared D.H. Lawrence connection make it seem logical on paper. But the vast gap in quality only underscores how poor a thing "Second Best" actually is.
