The Lion in Winter
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Movie Reviews of The Lion in Winter
Movie Review: Well, What Family Doesn't Have Its Ups and Downs?
Summary: 5 Stars
"Katharine Hepburn, from her first scene when she is briefly taken out of her 10-year imprisonment, shows a wonderful relish for even the most unimpressive sarcastic line. "Well, what family doesn't have its ups and downs," she says, when sodomy, patricide, treason and incest are running their daily course. There is something about an actress with this degree of presence and a wholly distinct, pleasant and idiosyncratic voice that gets her through even misplaced weepy or extravagant scenes." Renata Adler
How many times can you watch a masterpiece and not get tired of it? As many as I want. 'The Lion In Winter' is the masterpiece for me. The action takes place within one day, Christmas Eve. Henry II, Peter O'Toole is 50 years old and wants to choose his heir before he dies. He has three sons: John, his favorite; Richard, the soldier genius; and Geoffrey, reserved and quiet. Henry calls a Christmas court, letting his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine Katharine Hepburn out of prison for the occasion. King Philip of France is also a visitor. He wants to know when his sister will be married to the heir to the throne. But, Henry has not been able to appoint an heir yet,and the girl has become his mistress. This film sjows the debut of Anthony Hopkins, as Richard the Lion-Hearted, Nigel Terry as Prince John; John Castle, as Prince Geoffrey; and Timothy Dalton, as Philip of France. This film brought forth many Oscars and they deserve to be mentioned.
Katherine Hepburn-Eleanor of Aquitaine brought Hepburn her third of four Oscars.
Peter O'Toole- Nominated but did not win-Best Actor
James Goldman- Best Screenplay
Anthony Harvey- Best Director
Margarret Furst- Best Costume Design
Because of the powerful acting we know that the outcome will be a result of power, politics and will. The stakes grow high as the film moves along until there is no game any longer. The emotional tug of war is evident between the Queen and King. The issues of trust, love and honor are at stake. Some root for the Queen and then we see w=how she destroys her family. We feel sorry for the three sons. The King is the King and is all powerful. And,the mistress is a pawn in this game.
"Jesus himself would have a hard time bringing peace to this yuletide household. Here's a family whose every deed and word is a chess move or a dagger stroke. After all, there's more at stake than merely the future of England and France. Alliances (political and sexual) rise and fall amid skillful maneuvering, clashing, and scheming for Henry's throne. At the center of this regal melee are Henry and Eleanor, whose combination of high mutual fondness and take-no-prisoners warfare -- on battlefields and in bedrooms -- make them one of cinema's great complicated relationships."
Mark Bourne
If there are any newbies out there who have not seen this film- take thee to the nearest DVD store. A film not to be missed.
Highly, Highly Recommended. prisrob 6-02-07
Movie Review: All happy families are alike...
Summary: 5 Stars
It's 1183. Henry II has summoned his wife and children to join him for the Christmas holiday. It's not for the joy of their company, for this family is unhappy in its own toxic way. This movie lays that toxicity bare, then sends these unhappy people back where they came from.
I love this movie. It's become my family's traditional Christmas movie (a tradition that my kids would probably jettison if they could, but if I have to watch The Aristocats every Saturday, they have to watch The Lion in Winter once a year). The dialogue, the acting, the scenery, it all comes together in one wonderful whole, which is odd because the parts really aren't all that wonderful.
The dialogue is relentlessly witty. A small amount of wit makes dialogue sparkle, but this movie is one brilliant one-liner after another. Even poor John (presented here as a much bigger dolt than the historical evidence justifies) gets off the occasional zinger. I enjoy the verbal torrent, but sometimes it makes me feel like I'm drowning in the words.
The actors seem to love their lines; they deliver them with relish. They chew on them, roll them around, wallow in them, declaim and shout and hiss them with shameless promiscuity. Overacting? Oh, yes. But this was a stage play before it was a movie, and it may be that the exaggerated emotion that's necessary on stage was carried into the film out of force of habit.
The setting and scenery are dreary, though there are some lovely shots at the beginning and end of the movie when Eleanor arrives and then leaves by water. The castle looks cold and uncomfortable - in a word, authentic. It's a place where a family can fall apart with bitter recriminations all around and not make the house any more unpleasant a home than it already is.
All that is beside the point, because the elements of this movie come together in a beautifully harmonious way. Through all the anger and bitterness we can see the embers of the love that bound Henry and Eleanor. Their sons are cold and cynical and manipulative, but we sense the regret, the love that might have been, if only the royal court weren't so cold and deadly a place. The story is sad, but it shines with humor and that endless torrent of wit. The acting is over the top, but the actors play characters who are grander and meaner than life, people whose lives are over the top.
Katharine Hepburn is radiant in this film; Peter O'Toole is magnificent. Nigel Terry is deliciously low as John, and Anthony Hopkins is a sadly damaged Richard. There was no one in this film I didn't like, either as a character or as an actor.
This isn't a film for people who want action or subtlety in their movies (thought it does have both). You have to enjoy a certain amount of chattiness, not mind scenes that don't actually lead anywhere. What you'll get in return is an ultimately optimistic view of life, which for all its pettiness and disappointments can always hold out the promise of something grand and wonderful.
Movie Review: For lovers of Medieval history, Shakespere, and Great Acting
Summary: 5 Stars
I'll keep it reasonably brief, since many other reviews have delved into the plot and character portrayals effectively already.First, for the lover of all thing medieval - the cinematographic portrayal of "real" castle life is supurb. 1183 is a time when, as someone greater than I said, life was "nasty, short and brutish". The sense of this is well portrayed in the film. One will notice the general starkness of the furnishings, the drafy breezes flowing behind the tapestries, the ice in the water the King uses to wash his face, the chickens before the palace door, the dogs in the hallway, the mudddy castle courtyard. There is very little of the romantisized view of medieval life to be found here - and that is fairly rare. The cinematography plays to this, portraying the starkness without making it seem boring (which it easily could have!) The dialog also supports this well, reinforcing that the age of 50 was a rarely seen thing in those days, and that monarchs made abuse of their power and position (like adultery) a routine 'given' that was hardly even factored into consideration, despite Henry's 'passion for peace' and the joys of deciding peasant squabbles.
And although there are some minor anachranisms to be found in the film, most are there in an almost Shakesperean manner - Hepburn's 'knives' speech to her children, that "it's 1183, ... and we're barbarians" comes to mind - who would utter such a speech, except in an aside comment to the audience in a play from the Great Bard. The lyrical style of the excellent dialog (again, another kudos for the scriptwriter here!) also heakens back to the Immortal Bard - and yet is somehow ever more real, and relevant in it's way than Shakesperes plays themselves are.
The (for the film's publishing time) avant guarde treatment of Richard's homosexuality also hearkens back to a more realistic view of homosexuality and it's 'place' within society, as reflected by the morals of the 12th century (Although Hopkins does not play that part of his role well - one of his few failings in this film).
Finally - view this film for the acting - especially the complex portrayals of Henry and Elanor. There are more moments than I can reasonably count in this film, where the movement and facial expressions so closely match, and enhance, the dialog that the feeling of the 'reality' of these complex exchanges only grows stronger with repeated viewings of the film. Not to shortchange any of the major players here (except perhaps Hopkins, who does seem wooden and uncomfortable with the homosexuality portions of his role), Geoffery, Alaise, and even John (who'se part is unsympathetic at best, but portrayed well by Nigel) offer a level of complexity of character rarely seen in film these last 15 or 20 years. Geoffery's portrayal of the 'Middle Child Syndrome' is especially gifted in this dialog with his mother, in the 'easy answers' exchange.
So for fans of history, Shakespere and great acting, add this film to your collection today!
Movie Review: "It's the way I register dispair..."
Summary: 5 Stars
So says Queen Eleanor when the King Henry notes that, amid the disasters of her life; her treacherous children and her imprisonment at the hands of her husband; she is still smiling.
I was in high school when The Lion in Winter was released. I had not so long before seen Becket, also starring O'Toole (with Richard Burton), and was looking forward to a much more action-oriented, swash-buckling movie than is The Lion in Winter. So I recall being disappointed with the endless talking much of which didn't make sense to me, the dark scenes and the nastiness of the characters. Not much medieval spleandor!
Well, that was in my impatient, impetuous youth. Now that we live in the DVD age these old gems can be brought out for reappraisal. The film requires a certain level of maturity and patience to be appreciated, but once that threshold is reached the rewards of this movie are rich and manifold.
The film rates as one of my favorites. Though I respect the Halliwell Film and Video Guide (which, happily, is very grudging with the stars), it grossly underrates this wonderful movie (giving it one star, when it should rate at least three).
The main problem of the story is transitioning the monarchy from an aging king to a successor. The way this up-for-grabs power struggle effects the characters is brilliantly presented in dialog and acting. The King tries out one decision out after another: first one prince, then another, will inherit the throne, then, realizing that all of his sons display varying levels of treachery, the King decides he needs a new heir. He will go to Rome for a divorce so he can remarry to have more sons. But that won't work since all the princes and the Queen threaten to revolt.
The King's dithering has a corrosive effect on the characters which is fascinating to watch. The trust and distrust of each individual to the others, the loyalty or betrayal to the King and the current favorite causes great volatility in the alliances between characters.
The story is, finally, a tragedy. It's the tragedy of growing old, of realizing that one doesn't live forever and will never know, much less control, how the world will turn out when one is gone. The tragedy of being shunted aside (as is the imprisoned Queen), of seeing your children not live up to your expectations and then become disloyal. The tragedy for two of the three princes not chosen to rise to the throne.
At the end of the story, nothing is decided. Life will go on as before. The Queen is on her way back to jail. But the King and Queen have learned that they are companions in their mutual tragedy. In the midst of this sorrow the lighthearted way they part brings a tear to the eye. Indeed, their final fairwell is a triumph over dispair.
Movie Review: Marry Me, "Lion In Winter"--Be My Queen
Summary: 5 Stars
How much do I love "The Lion in Winter"? Let's just say that if man and DVD union were legal in the state of Nevada, I'd rush over to the new Hooter's Casino Chapel and get a quickie marriage to it. We'd live happily for a time and rear three supremely ungrateful children--the oldest of which would bear a striking resemblance to Hannibal Lecter. Someday, though, I know a Deluxe version DVD is going to come out with lots of great features. I'm going to need to upgrade! But instead of just throwing my old copy of "The Lion In Winter" away, I'd banish it to someplace where I wouldn't have to look at it anymore. Occasionally, though, I'd feel nostalgic--especially around the holidays--I'd cart it out to spend time with the family.
Seriously, "The Lion in Winter" is my favorite movie of all time. This is a brilliant film adaptation of a brilliant play, and I cherish it as perhaps the most literate film ever made! The screenplay won a well deserved Oscar, for this movie soars on its dialogue. It is merciless, gut-wrenching, hysterical, powerful and wickedly intelligent entertainment. The verbal bloodbaths, the vicious head games, the intentional cruelty--never has a Christmas been so entertaining. Don't be put off by the pedigree of talent involved with this film. It is not a staid, dignified chamber piece, NO! It is all out family warfare. It is also bitterly funny and uncompromising to the end.
Katherine Hepburn gives her finest performance in an Oscar winning role, and not to overstate it--but I think its one of the greatest film performances ever. Really. Peter O'Toole is dynamic and engaging, and every member of the cast is in fine form. It's especially interesting to see a young Anthony Hopkins and Timothy Dalton, complete with shocking (by 1968 standards) references to homosexuality. Sadly, it's John Castle, as neglected middle child Geoffrey, who often gets overlooked in reviews of this film. Geoffrey, the child who no one claims, is easily the most worthy and most intelligent--yet his cry for attention manifests itself as cold-hearted manipulation. Middle child syndrome has never been so diabolically on point.
Through the years, I have made everyone I know watch this film. It is surprisingly contemporary. We see similar examples of family dysfunction every day in film and TV. But they aren't usually Royals, and they aren't as psychologically challenging. This is GRAND, FUNNY entertainment--and if you fashion yourself sophisticated and literate, this is a perfect movie. Even if you just like popcorn movies, you can enjoy this as extreme comedy.
Perfection.... KGHarris, 10/06.