Have you gained access to my home media system Vlad? Its like you're working your way through my film library !!! The mixture of stiff-upper lippedness, the stifling constrained emotions, the desire to break free, but at the same time a fear of doing so of the main protagonists amid a backdrop of British aristocratic support for fascism is just such a unique construct within film, and this masterpiece is so beautifully written directed and acted, my heart aches in this film for "Mr Stevens" & "Miss Kenton". Another classic. Well done Vlad.
Clearly you have great taste! Also, watching it this time I noted that the movie had some hints about Stevens, the inner man, which was rather ordinary and unremarkable. Any thoughts there? (Not to say that because Stevens may be an "everyman" under that stiff exterior doesn't mean he should be denied love and emotional fulfillment.)
@@Vlad65WFPReviews I guess that Mr Stevens (jnr) was like all of us largely a product of his upbringing. His Father (Mr Stevens Snr) had been "in service" all his working life, where the "downstairs" staff were VERY firmly made to understand their "lower station" and subservience in life, hence a 2nd generation head butler's completely natural and unaffected doglike loyalty to his "master". I found Darlington's friend "Spencer" brilliantly played by Patrick Godfrey, an utterly chilling character, and his deconstruction of "Mr Stevens" intellect to highlight the inability of the "hoi polloi" to master the arena of international politics, and Mr Stevens subsequent acceptance of his low place in "the order" (inspite of a polite smarm towards Spencer) to be highly telling.
@@Vlad65WFPReviews On a COMPLETELY different tack, if you're looking for more British material to peruse, I could suggest what I consider two contemporary stand out gems. Maybe have a look at "detectorists" by the BBC, in my mind one of their best original works of the last 10-20 years, it's very gentle in its humour, but has heart and is well worth a watch, though the popular view may not agree with me, the other is an excellent story (starring the same Toby Jones who tops "detectorists") and is a BBC TV movie called "Marvellous". Its of the old cliche "based on a true story" about a man with learning difficulties who against the flow of society succeeds in his own inimitable way. You MAY be able to see both of them via BBC iplayer. Hope you're able to catch them. All the best Vlad. Just discovered "marvellous" is on YT in HD... here it is, Enjoy. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-aEJTAC-qiWs.html
Great review! And surprisingly, one of only a few I've found so far here on YT. What did you make of the pigeon being set free at the end? I understand they put this end on a whim at the last moments of filming...and it feels like it.
Thanks. I thought pointing out the film's question marks about Stevens might raise more debate but not so far. Didn't know the bird was a late add-on - I thought it was very deliberate. I saw it as a moment of liberation or release symbolically, while Stevens, by contrast, stays inside and will never ever change - regardless of any insights he might have obtained after his late master's fall. Curious - what did you think?
@@Vlad65WFPReviews I feel that your observation of Stevens was dead on. No debate needed. I can see the symbolism of the bird being released but I guess I tied it too closely to Stevens who refused to be free. Maybe that was the whole point of the ending. To show the contrast of the two. The irony of Stevens helping to free something but never allowing himself be liberated. Because we've already been shown what his end will be through seeing his father's demise. I also feel that although Miss Kenton felt like she had a failure of a life, she actually lived it to the fullest she could. I think she made the right choice. Staying would have only frustrated her because Stevens was never going to come around.
@@JeffBurnsArt Great point about Stevens facing the same, rather lonely, fate as his father. I avoid making reviews too long, otherwise I would have also included the younger service couple that both decide to leave the household in order to be together - as opposed to Stevens and Kenton. Not to overstate the symbolism, but the whole business about the bird reminds me of "leaving the nest". Unlike the others, Stevens was actually born "in the nest" of service and is clearly terrified of leaving its security for the freedoms and unknowns of the outer world. Subconsciously aware that he doesn't want to leave, it makes sense that he convinces himself about the "greatness" of the master as he stays and continues to serve.
If I can make a suggestion for a further review Vlad, how about the 1966 masterpiece "A man for all seasons". A film in which ALL the main characters (and not just Paul Schofield's Thomas More) are each magnificently portrayed by a cinema giant (in my eyes), and even the full supporting cast is of such absolute top notch quality. The scene where Henry VIII (played by the powerful Robert Shaw) drops in on Paul Schofield's Thomas More to have supper, and discuss his future divorce, is such a beautifully written and acted scene, I sometimes just watch that 15 minutes of the film alone. In much the same was as another of my favourite historical biopics, Amadeus, its portrayal of personalities and events is not particularly historically accurate, but the skill of the screenplay writer, combined with the discerning eye of the casting director makes for truly classic cinema.
Blair, I was surprised when I came across that. Reading on Harold Pinter, who had written an earlier draft of the script, some of his plays were called "comedies of menace" and featured savage critiques o Britain's class and social systems. Needless to say, it would have been a very very different movie.
I should probably rewatch this one. I forgot Reeve was in it, even. And though I didnt remember the firing of the Jewish staff, I did remember the employer was sympathetic with Wallis and Edward's friends, ahem.
Jimbo, Definitely worth another watch. Preparing the video, I found Darlington was the trickiest subject, as the narration states. Early in the film he talks about knowing Germans from WW I and lamenting the punitive Treaty of Versailles - which helped push Germany into bankruptcy. It seems he strives more from good intentions rather than an intense liking of Hitler - unlike Edward VIII who was even suspected of leaking info, forcing Churchill to banish him to the Caribbean. Then again, Darlington doesn't mind embracing anti-Semitic material and fires the two young women - even though he probably didn't know what fate might await them back on the Continent. I also wonder how people will react to my wondering about Mr. S's low intellectual curiosity - which the film includes a few times.
Not a bad choice. If the American had the bad feet it would have undermined his bold statement on amateur diplomats at dinner. Also, I believe the Senator isn't the new owner in the book.
I didn't perceive the American politician as bad. He perceived Darlington as naive & being manipulated by the Germans. The American was hoping the Frenchman from the US's sister republic would have his back
I may have gotten too invested in this movie. When I saw it I was looking forward to an entertaining evening based on the stellar cast and production values. At the end, I was thoroughly depressed and frustrated. It was a great British movie, but it left me sad at the end. I don't like being sad.
Yes, but sadness can be more profound and give you things to think about. That said, during Covid I watch less news and favour lighter or entertaining flicks as a diversion.
@@Vlad65WFPReviews Well advised... stop watching the news ALTOGETHER, and especially news print, they're just determined to destroy everybody's will to live, CONSTANT bad news / cataclysym / evil corrupt humanity non-stop, more than I've EVER experienced in my 56 years. Just live in your own "real world", with only the mental & emotional influences that YOU choose, not some globalist toadying news editor. Ahem... time to get off my soapbox I think !!!
When I saw this film in the theater about a quarter in, I started laughing and didn't stop till the end. Black comedy indeed, an awful man being tortured by his own awfulness. The other moviegoers did not appreciate my response,
Interesting, very interesting. Of course it is a tragic story of wasted lives, but as I watched it again for the review I was struck by his insane level of self-denial and repression. I can understand why others didn't like the laughter, but clearly I understand your viewpoint.
@@Vlad65WFPReviews The hard boiled emotionally stupid dude who resists the woman with a heart of gold is kind of a trope, which begets the absurdist view. Sink the Bismark uses the same theme. At least Shepard gets to shoot something, if only figuratively.
