Director Stanley Kubrick followed the success of "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "A Clockwork Orange" with a film that was perhaps even more daring. "Barry Lyndon" was a three hour costume drama set in the 18th century, without sufficient action to interest male viewers, and without sufficient love interest to satisfy women viewers.
The film starred expressionless Ryan O'Neal, who had been derided since "Love Story" despite a quality performance in "Paper Moon." Meticulously filmed entirely utilizing natural light, "Barry Lyndon" was beautiful to look at, but was a flop at the box office. Even some critics weren't kind, calling the film tedious and lifeless; perhaps more a series of still life paintings than a conventional film.
But "Barry Lyndon" is outstanding. It is not as great as "Dr. Strangelove", but it could be Kubrick's second best film. Besides the gorgeous visual appeal of the cinematography and costumes, the story is highly compelling, even with the narration curiously revealing plot spoilers. While the viewer never likes the characters, one can identify with them, and what happens to them seems as natural and inevitable as if preordained by the stars. Redmond Barry's ultimate failure, propelled by hunger for respect and the title of Lord that his character doesn't merit, seems a fitting punishment for treating people as mere stepping stones to glory.
Redmond Barry (O'Neal) is first seen as an idealistic, courageous young Irishman. Tricked into leaving home by relations anxious to be rid of the meddlesome youth, he enlists in first the English, then the Prussian Army. His courage survives better than his morality, and he eventually manipulates his way into a favorable marriage with lovely, sad-eyed Lady Lyndon (Marisa Berenson). He shamelessly dissipates the Lyndon family fortune in attempt to buy the title of Lord, making an enemy of his dislikable stepson (Leon Vitali).
While "Barry Lyndon" was nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay (credited to Kubrick, based on William Makepeace Thackeray's novel), the film only won for its most obvious strengths. John Alcott won Best Cinematography, Leonard Rosenman for the low-key score, and the sets and costumes (of course) won Oscars. (93/100)
BARRY LYNDON is Stanley Kubrick's epic costume drama based on William Makepeace Thackeray's picaresque novel. It tells the story of a young rogue who ...More at Family Video
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