One of the greatest films...
of all time,
"Believe not what you only wish to believe, but that which truth demands"
[deleted]
Yep. The best film that Lean ever made in my opinion. Great cast as well - and amazing cinematography.
shareI thought both of the leads were miscast. Especially the 40 year old Mills playing a 20 something gentleman.
Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.
Well, it might have been even more difficult getting the kid in the first half to play a 20 year old in the second half. (I liked him, too.) Do you feel the same about Jo Van Fleet (30's, I think) playing 60 or so in East of Eden, or a 70 year old in Wild River? In the end, it's about acting not chronological exactitude between actor and character. I thought Mills was excellent. Today, I guess, literalism's the benchmark for some.
shareHey cwente2. I haven't seen either of those two movies (yet) but I do think there's merit in the notion that acting isn't exactly about "chronological exactitute between actor and character". And even in this film, once the initial surprise wears off, Mills fits comfortably into the role. I don't know about excellent but it's definitely adequate enough to serve the purpose.
But still, I imagine if a more younger specimen couldn't have done the job even better and without requiring as much suspension of disbelief (not the kid in the first half, of course). I wouldn't have fussed if we were talking about a 40 year old playing a 30 year old. That could possibly work, depending on the requirements of the role. But here, we have a middle-aged man playing someone fresh off his teenage years, a boy hopelessly in love and enthused about a future which could possibly include the girl of his dreams... and I just don't see that on Mills' wise, slightly wrinkled face. I guess I wasn't reeled in by his performance as much as you were.
Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.