Separate Tables
by Delbert Mann
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Burt Lancaster, David Niven, Deborah Kerr, Rita Hayworth, Wendy HillerDirector: Delbert Mann
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Dubbed, DVD, Letterboxed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 100 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-12-11
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Movie Reviews of Separate Tables
Movie Review: Much better than I remembered...
Summary: 5 Stars
I've let this one mull around in my head for a while, because quite frankly I wasn't sure what I thought of it when I saw it all those months ago (it's been nearly a year). In fact, I think I let too much time go by, so much so that I actually rewatched this the other night to refresh my memory and confirm my sentiments.
David Niven deserved the Oscar, just not in that category.
The film is one of those that I didn't really remember too fondly, but as I watched it again the other night I found myself remembering liking it. You know those films, the ones that you really enjoy only to find that time (and your memory) was unkind to them, and then, as you watch it a second (or maybe even a third, fourth or tenth time) you realize that you liked it more than you remembered.
That was this film for me.
The films takes place on a seaside hotel that hosts a slew of very different and very interesting characters who all happen to become a major part of each others lives. As scandal breaks out on all ends (most notably with a rumor involving a respected war veteran) the guests begin to fester and their relationships begin to fray and soon the controversy engulfs them all. Loyalties are tested, emotions are bared and truths are accepted.
For me, half the enjoyment from a film of this nature is experiencing all of the twists and turns with a naivety that comes from walking in blind, so I'll refrain from giving away the plot any more than I already have. I think that the less you know the more you can become swept away by anticipation and suspense.
I will say that the films final frame may be its finest.
The acting (for the most part) is outstanding. The only sore point for me was a shocking one. I usually ADORE Deborah Kerr, but I found her portrayal of the seemingly simple-minded Sybil to be clichéd and aggravating. I hated her handling of her character. The rest of the cast was phenomenal. Like I mentioned, Niven deserved that Oscar, but I have a hard time considering his performance a Lead performance. I would have placed him in supporting myself (this is a true ensemble piece with no definitive lead character). Hiller, Hayworth (scene stealing for certain), Lancaster and the devilish Cooper were all spot-on perfection. Cooper is a hoot as the demanding and intrusive old-woman, and Hiller is devastating in her portrayal of a woman wanting what she fears she'll never completely attain. While I personally give my supporting award to MacLaine in 1958 (I know the Academy went with Lead for her as well, but that performance has SUPPORTING written all over it) I cannot fret over Hiller's much deserved Oscar!
In the end I have to say that I am so glad I disregarded my ill-advised memory and watched this film again before reviewing it. I fear that in a year I may have the same misconceived notion that this is less than I remember, but I will have no problems putting it back on and proving my memory wrong once again.
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