Two pieces of sabbatical news before my Kubrick review continues. First, I went to court for my civil disobedience back in September. One charge dismissed. Other charges will be dismissed after 28 hours of community service. So that’s good news! The other bit of news is I’m visiting my family in Pennsylvania now. So nice to be here!
Now, on to Kubrick! I did watch this movie, Barry Lyndon (1975) once before, long ago. It was on TV and my father was watching, so I watched it too. I was a teenager. I knew who Ryan O’Neal was, but the name “Stanley Kubrick” didn’t really mean anything to me then. I remember liking it, but thinking it was kind of slow.
I just watched again it the day before yesterday. What a great movie! This has got to be Kubrick’s most underrated film, or least appreciated. I almost never hear anyone talk about this movie, which is strange. It’s one of those movies that you watch and think, “I really want to read the novel!” There’s just so much there.
Ryan O’Neal is perfectly cast in the role, really. He comes across as bright but overly driven by passion and opportunism. As always in a Kubrick film, the music adds a lot. And it’s true; the movie does have a plodding feel — but it feels intentional, and somehow adds to the story of the title character’s life. Somehow the story has shades of Don Quixote for me, but it’s also quite different. I know that doesn’t make sense, but go with it! I highly recommend this film.
Fool of Spirit 