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One of the best films of the 80s? One of the most unfairly underrated films of all time? I reckon so, and I hope in thirty years time this film is recognized for the classic it is. Despite all the obligatory jibes he received as a funnyman branching out into a straight role, Bill Murray is perfect as the World War I veteran searching for some meaning to life. Adapted from Somerset Maugham's book of the same name, this is one of the very few films I can think of with the same breadth, complexity and sustained power of absorption as a great novel. The cast is excellent, including as well as Murray such underused luminaries as Theresa Russell and Peter Vaughn showing exactly how good they can be when given a script worthy of them. The cinematography is often breathtaking; the writing is superlative; there is not a step misplaced. Moving, utterly compelling, unmissable. Kudos to Murray and to John Byrum for his outstanding direction.
score 10/10
Adrian Sweeney 17 June 2002
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0214289/ |
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21-2-2021 06:05:08