Saturday, April 5, 2014

454. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
1966
Directed by Mike Nichols











Even though In the Heat of the Night is listed in the Book as a 1967 film, it comes before Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, which is listed as a 1966 movie.  What?  Oh well, we will follow the Book, even though we know it is wrong.  It is the American way.

I have witnessed my fair share of couple fights, which are always horribly awkward and uncomfortable. Usually, I make a run for the bathroom or become very interested in the ceiling design.  Occasionally, I will make the situation a lot worse but interjecting and saying something stupid.  Anyway, watching this film was just as bad as being a third wheel to a feuding couple.

Martha invites a young couple to her house for drinks, unbeknownst to her husband.  They pretty much scream at each other throughout the entire movie, which succeeds in giving me a headache and impressing film buffs.

I tend to not like films that are so obviously meant to be plays.  If you are going to change mediums, at least make the experience seem cinematic.  I felt incredibly trapped in that house, which I guess is how the director wants you to feel throughout the film.  Still, it was not an enjoyable experience and while I understand why some people would like this, I just wanted it to end.

Although I do have to say there is a pretty cool twist at the end.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Taylor gained 30 pounds for her role in this film.

#67 in AFI's top 100.

All credited actors received Oscar nominations for this film.

Trailer:




4 comments:

  1. This movie is just ok. It is very strange. I agree with your review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Larry! Yeah, it certainly seems overhyped.

      Delete
  2. Next..
    Can I make up for the seeming ganging up over Persona, to also agree with Larry on this one?
    (Damn, I should have got up a lot earlier.. Larry has made all the good points already - now i just look like I'm tagging along)
    Yes, there are several other 'couples shouting at each other' films out there. 'Look back in Anger shoots to mind, probably because it's Burton again), and 'Long days Journey into night', if we can include families. And hey.. they are all play adaptations as well.
    I'm sure our discomfort at sitting there seeing them fight is of deliberate intent.. we should feel as the guest feels.
    Perhaps we should do as the guest should have done// mumbled something like 'Well i need to be up early for work tomorrow', and slip out the door and leave them to it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I definitely get what the director was trying to do by making us feel just as uncomfortable as the guests. I just have no idea why? What is the point of making us feel that awkward?

      Delete