CrawlerChunky
In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
Hayden Kane
There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
irenic-43376
I remember reading about this film and thinking Yuck! No way do I want to see this. Then years later I read the novel and thought Hmmm - how on earth would someone turn this compilation of correspondence, excerpts of novels and interviews into a film? (Did not make the connection with the aforementioned movie review). So I had to find out, and I must say it was done beautifully. Spoiler follows.Of course, you can only fill 90 minutes with so much detail. I feel, however, that the film should have included Tony's psychiatric history; most people watching the movie would not realize how profoundly ill he was. The casting was perfect, particularly Redmayne and Moore, who deliver the charm and intelligence that defined these people. The film perfectly depicts how self-absorbed Mama and Papa Baekeland were, but misses the sometimes hilarious antics of the wealthy circle they moved in.
SnoopyStyle
Brooks Baekeland (Stephen Dillane) is the heir to the Bakelite plastics from his grandfather. He does no work just like his father. He has a volatile marriage to Barbara (Julianne Moore). He is dissatisfied with their son Antony (Eddie Redmayne). As the family dysfunction increases, Barbara gets ever more closer to Antony leading to complicated sexual relationship along with Sam Green (Hugh Dancy).Julianne Moore and Eddie Redmayne deliver a couple of solid performances. It's filmed with a cold distant beauty. The movie is missing the intensity and the psychological thrills. The closing text describes some crazy plot developments after the movie ends. The first half could be compressed while the final text could be played out on the screen. This should be a character study of Antony rather than following Barbara.
suite92
The picture was made by adapting a biography about the death of Barbara Baekeland. Barbara rose into wealth and social status by marrying Brooks Baekeland, the heir to the Bakelite plastics fortune. The period under consideration is circa 1946, and the birth of Tony, to 1972 and the death of Barbara. The film is about stormy relationships: Tony and Barbara, Barbara and Brooks, Barbara and whomever she was intimate with.The action of the film comes in islands. The first island is around 1946 when Tony was born. We get to know Barbara and Brooks: she is skilled at maintaining and growing social networks in the upper class; he is an accomplished explorer, adventurer, and linguist. The next island is in 1959 in Spain. Tony is 13, has some skill in languages, and enjoys long, detailed conversations with Barbara. Barbara continues to spend time and energy on affairs. The parents find out that Tony has gay leanings. In 1967, Tony is tall, skinny, skilled at the guitar. He and his father talk a bit more clearly than usual, the main subject being Barbara and women in general. Soon he meets Blanca, and not long thereafter spends a night with her. Barbara tells her later that she thought he was delivering Blanca rather like a cat delivers a bird to its owner.In 1968, Brooks and Blanca decide to go somewhere together. Barbara catches up with them, and makes a very public scene. Tony and Jake get 'caught' by Barbara when she gets back from the airport. About this time, Sam enters the movie as a 'walker,' a homosexual man who escorts a married woman while her husband is away. How could this get more volatile?The setup for a bad ending is well established. As time goes forward to 1972 in London, the family dynamics get even worse. Just how do we get to the sad conclusion?----Scores-----Cinematography: 10/10 Beautifully shot: interiors, exteriors, day, or night.Sound: 9/10 Very few problems. The background music might have been more effective.Acting: 7/10 I liked Stephen Dillane, Eddie Redmayne, and Hugh Dancy. I did not care so much for Elena Anaya, Unax Ugalde, or Julianne Moore (yes, she's considered an untouchable tin god, but I think other actresses could have done as well or better here).Screenplay: 8/10 I could have used more exposition.
samoozles
I watched this film without knowing anything about it, so after the events of the film unfolded I was shocked to learn that they were based on real events. The character of Tony reminded me a bit of Sebastian from Cruel Intentions as he was a well spoken, high brow, pretentious sort of fellow. He was not very likable but the film did incite sympathy for his situation. The film chronicles his life and the series of events that most likely contributed to his mental instability and I feel like he was merely an instrument for those around him to use as they desired. Barbara was an abhorrent woman but very well acted by Jullianne Moore. The film is aesthetically very compelling - a series of lustrous backdrops with a patina of age and degradation, which perhaps could be interpreted as some sort of metaphor I am sure. I wouldn't watch it again because I found it quite disturbing and harrowing but I can see the appeal in this film and would recommend it to someone who enjoyed watching a film like the Virgin Suicides.
