Sweet Bird of Youth
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Movie Reviews of Sweet Bird of Youth
Movie Review: "A Kind Of Magnificence."
Summary: 4 Stars
This 1989 film version of SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH based on the play by Tennessee Williams stars Elizabeth Taylor and Mark Harmon. She is a fading movie actress (Alexandra Del Lago) while he (Chance Wayne) is her driver/escort/confidante/gigolo/actor-want-to-be. The plot is classic Williams: the vulnerable, beautiful woman cast opposite the sexy stud but with a twist since Alexandra has a steeliness reminiscent of Maggie in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. Both characters use each other for a quid pro quo: sex for furthering one's acting career. Thrown in for good measure are old-style demagoguery of the 1950's politician, racism, segregation, abortion and adultery. Add to that The theme of the perils of growing old, particularly if one has accomplished little (Chance); and you have quite a lot going on and a plot that does not always work.
Ms. Taylor remains tremendously beautiful here even with big hair and the essential lavender costumes. She plays again the role that she has done many times before, the exotic (often Southern but not always) woman (CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, REFLECTIONS IN A GOLDEN EYE, RAINTREE COUNTY, et cetera). At times she seems to be playing Elizabeth Taylor; on the other hand, it's great to watch her do only that. A character in the film describes Alexandra as having a "kind of magnificence." I have no words better to describe this screen legend.
Although by no means a perfect film, SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH is certainly worth watching.