The Lion in Winter

1968, 129 minutes, UK


I am starting a journey into pre-1980s cinema. I have seen a few titles but nothing in comparison to the number I have seen made in the last three decades. The Lion in Winter was perhaps my first 'older' movie that was a historical film. It depicts King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) and his estranged wife Eleanor (Katherine Hepburn) fighting to convince King Philip II of France who should be the next King. Richard (played by Sir Anthony Hopkins in his first cinematic role), the brave and characteristic son which is the preference of Eleanor , while John, the idiotic and simple son, is favoured by Henry. As the film progress, we see how dysfunctional the family really are and how power corrupts.

Now, I do have a natural tendency to favour films set in the present because usually there is something I can relate to. However, I did enjoy this period piece. It was surprising how well it presented the difficulties of relationships and family. It had an interesting modern story hidden amongst the historical setting. Maybe I am just showing my lack of familiarity with the genre, but there were certainly moments I could associate with - like the idea of betrayal and how easy power can corrupt. This film goes further than just trying to relive the past.

There were certainly a number of great and memorable scenes which told the story well and kept me entertained. The most obvious one for me is when it is exposed that Richard had had relations with King Philip. This was the turning point in reducing Richard's prospects of being the next King. For a debut performance, Anthony Hopkins is great and actually looks a lot older then I imagined him to be at this time.

However, it was Katherine Hepburn that stole the show. Her portrayal of the manipulative and slightly mad Eleanor was formidable. She certainly deserved that Best Actress Oscar! Considering the only other film I have seen of hers was Bringing up Baby which I was not really impressed by. Her voice just made it. Lines such as 'Hush dear, Mother's fighting' and 'I would wear them on my nipples but it would frighten the children' were delivered with a mixture of comedy and authority required for the character. I have to say it was one of the best leading female performances I have ever seen.

The film, however, was not perfect. It slightly dragged towards the end and I became restless. I, of course, became engaged again every time Hepburn entered the scene. If they had been smarter editing, this film would have been much better. I have to say watching this was a learning experience for me to be more open minded and try to appreciate things that I am not naturally drawn to.

3.5/5 - A grand performance by Katherine Hepburn

Women In Love

1969, 125 minutes, UK


Some films are remarkable for the impact they have on society when they are released. Often these titles do not age well as society moves one. Women In Love manages to be a great film now while being controversial for its time.

It tells the story of four people in the 1920s who meet and become lifelong friends, their free spirited attitude being what binds their friendship. Despite Gudrun (Glenda Jackson) marrying Gerald (Oliver Reed) and Rupert (Alan Bates) wedding Ursula (Jennie Linden), Gerald and Rupert engage in homoerotic naked wrestling. They develop a strong physical, mental and spiritual attraction which throws questions at their life choices. They all embark on a honeymoon in Switzerland which results in infidelity and a lasting tension on the friendships and marriage.

As I have said before, I am no literature expert and having never read a DH Lawrence novel in my life, I cannot say whether this film does the book justice. However, I can say that it really pushed the boundaries of British cinema during a time of sexual revolution and the liberation of attitudes. The famous scene of the naked Japanese wrestling clearing demonstrates this. Not only is the wrestling suggestively 'gay', it is also the first film approved by the BBFC to show full male nudity - the director did have to edit some of the penis shots. Surprisingly the censors were more concerned with nudity than the homosexuality despite this film being released two years after decriminalisation. I would have expected attitudes to be less accepting but I suppose they wanted to keep the artistic integrity of the original book.

I understand from other reviews that the film stays loyal to the book and does it justice. If this is the case, it is amazing how radical DH Lawrence was. The script, although can be slightly heavy and difficult to follow at times, is a constant philosophical conversation about the relationship between the sexes as well as whether marriage is a workable institution. I imagine this attitude was radical for the 1920s but certainly fits the liberation movement of the late 60s.

What really made this a classic piece of cinema is the performances. The four main characters were fantastic. Although at times they were melodramatic, it fitted with the script and the film. Jackson of course was the highlight and deservedly won the Oscar for Best Actress. I also enjoyed some of the lesser roles, in particular Eleanor Bron was entertaining as Hermione Roddice.

While often films can try to push the boundaries for the sake of it and therefore not age well as society moves on, Women In Love managed to challenge society's views and attitudes while still being an excellent film.

4/5 - Ground breaking cinema

I Killed My Morther

2009, 93 minutes, Canada


Having enjoyed Xavier Dolan's Heartbeats, I thought I would give I Killed My Mother, his debut, a go. I had found his second film, although very enjoyable, it was heavily influenced by Y Tu Mama  Tabien and The Dreamers. I was expecting similar with this effort. Was I mistaken! I would have thought IKMM was the second film as it was a lot more confident, visually stunning and high in originality.

This film tells the story of Hubert (also played by Dolan) and the difficult relationship he has with his single mother (Anne Dorval). Him, an arty, gay 16 year old, is constantly on the war path with his vulgar, but well meaning, mother, who is struggling to fulfil her role as a single parent. He wants to be independent from the mother's nest and she wants her four year old son back. Day-by-day they are constantly arguing and results him being sent to boarding school.

The relationship between the two leads is an exceptional piece of character acting. It is reminiscent of arguments I have had with my mother when I was a similar age. Dolan plays Hubert as the selfish son who is prone to tantrums, especially when he does not get his way. Dorval is phenomenal as the struggling mother, who may not be the best mother in the world but she clearly loves her son. Just by looking at her eyes you can see the hurt when Hubert tells her that he hates her is so deep. The chemistry between the two characters is amazing and is up there as one of the best performances of recent memory.

Not only is Dolan talented as the leading male, his direction is superb. From beautiful forest shots to the scene where he paints the office Jackson Pollack style, the film is driven by beauty. The viewer is constantly amazed by what is presented visually and it always fits the mood of the film perfectly.

What makes this film even more amazing is that Dolan is 22 years old and directed this film when he was 20. Part of me is jealous of his talent and his career progression and part of me wants to marry him for his genius. Had I watched this without knowing anything about Dolan or seeing Heartbeats, I would still be just as impressed. Nothing was done wrong. To put this in context, it took Pedro Almodovar years to get exceptional, Dolan has done it in his first film. It really is no surprise that it received an 8 minute standing ovation at Cannes.

There have been a number of decent French-Canadian films of late, including C.R.A.Z.Y. and Incendies (which should have won the Foreign Language Oscar!). Dolan's work is leading the way and Quebec is becoming one of my favourite 'countries' for film production.

This film is meant to be semi autobiographical. Pictures of James Dean in his boyfriend's room probably represent Dolan's love of film from an early age. I just hope he has not given his best at the start of his career.

5/5 - An exceptional debut

How to be a Movie Star: Elizabeth Taylor in Hollywood

William J Mann, 2009


I have to confess that I am not a big fan of reading. Partly because I have to read a lot for my job and partly because I would prefer to sit back and watch a film. Some think this is strange considering I love foreign language films and therefore need the assistance of subtitles. However, I won this title in a competition (along with tickets to a viewing of one of her films), and thought it would be helpful to learn more about films made before 1990.

I actually enjoyed it. It went through the rise of her career through MGM, her many husbands, her battle with the press and her two Oscar wins. The book focuses on the glamour of her lifestyle and the press and public obsession with it. She was the original celebrity that mainstream film stars have become today. It was interesting how sometimes things were faked in order to create an image.

I find there are huge similarities between Elizabeth Taylor and Angelina Jolie today. Two iconic women in the film industry with faces that define an acting generation that the press cannot get enough of their lives. Both have done films in order to keep them in the press (Father of the Bride; Mr and Mrs Smith) and earn plenty in the box office.

However, they both have talent. Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf? is my favourite Taylor film and the character of Martha is one of my favourite female performances of all time . And I adore Jolie's portrayal of Lisa Rowe in Girl, Interrupted. Both can act, both are beautiful but both wants the fame and lifestyle that goes with it.

My favourite part is the chapter on Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf? I love the way she abandoned her glamour for the role and how she wanted that part more than anything. A complete opposite to the attitude she took for her other Oscar winning role of Butterfly 8. 


The only slight criticism is that the author was overly biased towards Taylor. He made out Debbie Reynolds was evil for playing the upset housewife when Eddie Fisher left her for Taylor. However, Elizabeth even used marriage as a way of promoting her films. However, I suppose an author who has extensively researched her life would be biased and just shows the dedication the author has for his subject.

This book has opened the door for an era of cinema I am not too familiar with yet and I cannot wait to explore these classics.

4.5/5 - An excellent book on glamour, love and films