Thursday, May 16, 2019

Movie review - "The Go-Between" (1971) *** (warning: spoilers)

I wonder if this film influenced all those Australian period piece of the 1970s - Picnic at Hanging Rock, Break of Day... there's a genteel quality, pretty pictures and costumes, but a sense of something happening Underneath, a little bit of sex. Break of Day especially.

I'd heard about this film for years, was curious to see it. It has a strong critical reputation. Maybe because I grew up on all those period Australian movies it didn't have the same impact.

It's well made. Alan Bates suited this sort of swaggering hair role - he was one of the hairier British male stars. Julie Christie was always solid as a demure looking woman with a sex drive - she's a star; her eyes are full of sparkle. Dominic Guard is a bit stiff. Edward Fox is touching.

Entirely good movie with some great moments (busting them having sex, Bates' death) and I enjoyed the cricket game. Just wasn't blown away.

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