MovieChat Forums > Suddenly, Last Summer Discussion > Who Are These Idiots Who Criticize?

Who Are These Idiots Who Criticize?

posted 16 years ago by RitchCS
10 replies | jump to latest

I've worked Broadway, Hollywood...studied and graduated from the best drama schools and when I see absolute idiots who know absolutely nothing about acting, theater, or playwriting criticizing a perfect piece of art, I feel there's no hope for culture left in the United States. Anyone with an ounce of theatrical talent or conception would see that Elizabeth Taylor, Katherine Hepburn, Montgomery Clift, Albert Dekker, and Mercedes McCambridge were all superb and at the top of their craft in "Suddenly, Last Summer". As in Shakespeare, there's a meter, a beat, that requires a special skill to say Tennessee Williams lines. Taylor was only 27 years old when she played Catherine Holly. There's not a 27 year old actress who is currently acting who oould come close to playing this role.
I should stop reading these messages because inevidently some lamebrain is going to ask, "Does he have a girlfriend?" "Is he gay?" "Does he smoke?" If that's what is important, more messages should be deleted by the administrator.
But with my knowledge of theater, believe me, this production of "SLS" was flawless!
Oh, my God! Tennessee Williams and Montgomery Clift were both gay and both smoked! No wonder so many kids think this was a bad movie. Elizabeth and Katherine AND Mercedes ALL were smokers, and it was rumored that Kate was a Lesbian. HORRORS!!

[–] songinmy_heart 16 years ago

LOL, thanks Ritch! I wholeheartely agree. SLS is a masterpiece of Southern Psychological Gothic, and a black classic with the stature of Greek Tragedy. I would like to add that the art direction with it's use of symbolism throughout (particularly in the Venable mansion and "garden of evil," and the final hunting of Sebastian) make this an existential mainstay approaching German Expressionism, and a real pleasure to uncode with multiple viewings. The amazing, primal musical score accompanies stellar perfomances and, while I agree that poor Mr. Cliff was a bit stiff due to heath issues (and probably taunting from his Director), I have always found his disconnectedness a nice foil for the insanity that surrounds him. Doctors are trained to be a bit coolish emotionally, and I think it works. As for the other performances, this wasn't a naturalistic play and today's standards of "natural acting" (is that a misnomer?) can't apply. I'm afraid that most viewers haven't the background to appreciate SLS on a purely artistic level, or the perspective to appreciate this film as a product of its time. I'm just so pleased that people are watching SLS and taking the time to discuss it! If it leads to a new appreciation of Williams, it has served its purpose. But it IS a masterpiece!

[–] Jane_Doe01 16 years ago

You know, you had a decent post for the most part, but this stuff about smoking and smokers seems to have come out of the left field. Besides, people don't generally hate actors for being smokers. Most actors still smoke as does a good deal of the general population. It doesn't have anything to do with anything. While we're at it I also doubt that too many people hate the movie because of Monty and Tennessee W. being gay in real life. It's more than sufficient to conclude that many people who hate the film are simply lacking in taste or are incapable of appreciating the classic style of filmmaking or acting.

[–] awaywithwords 15 years ago

Even Freud was in denial about the latent meaning of his own oral fixation: "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." Oh really, Ziggy? Well, perhaps you'd better have a good lie down on your couch. Just concentrate on the closing chapters of your favourite work of fiction ...

[–] mit800 15 years ago

All the acting in the film is melo-dramatic and over the top. Monty is the only real characterization as he seems more like a real person than the other actors.

Ever see the other interpretation of the play with Maggie Smith?

Much closer to the original play with out all the hysterical flashbacks (with Taylor)and mannered acting that Hepburn brings to the role of Violet.

For the most part the film was a bastardized version of the original play.

Dorothy stop that, Mr. Ha Ha`s lookin at you!!

[–] onepotato2 15 years ago

"I've worked Broadway, Hollywood...studied and graduated from the best drama schools and when I see absolute idiots who know absolutely nothing about acting, theater, or playwriting criticizing a perfect piece of art....."
by - RitchCS on Mon Aug 4 2008 01:43:45
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Hoo doggy! ...to borrow a line from church-lady, "We like ourselves don't we?" What an outrageously pompous thing to say about yourself.

This movie is an actors wet-dream, but your filmic superlatives are a bit of a stretch. Are you an actor? Because SLS represents a certain moment where classic Hollywood actors were given reams of dialog to address both vanity & dramatic goals. And since it's so literate, viewers can succumb to the idea they've watched art.

As to Tennessee W representing culture for all of America. He represents one over-the-top, formulaic type of culture, that served it's purpose and that we've moved beyond.

[–] Cello1949-2 15 years ago

Sorry, but the original poster on this thread is correct. He knows what he's talking about. After I received my degrees in music from a major state university, a professor on my graduate committee with whom I had had many discussions on cinema, and other art genre, in addition to music, suggested I pursue yet another degree in Cinema Style and History. I was too exhausted, so declined. But, I know a good performance when I see one, and "Suddenly, Last Summer" is a privilege to watch. These performances are riveting.

Certainly, there are going to be individuals who don't like this movie, these actors, etc., and that's fine. But one thing that is important to know, is that acting styles and technique changes over the years, just like in the other arts, and it's helpful to bear in mind the era context in which a movie was filmed. Just because you may not like it, doesn't mean it's "bad."

As for over-acting, Kate Hepburn's restrained delivery in her opening scenes was so chilling, she's absolutely frightening. She sets the tone for the entire movie.

It also helps to know something of the author, in this case, Tennessee Williams. He writes about raw emotion, tabu (for the time) subjects, and lays open the innermost thoughts of his characters. Another of his lesser-known movies that I adore is "Summer and Smoke."

One other comment about "over-acting" -- I adore Norma Shearer -- don't know why, exactly, but I do. When I was much younger, I wondered why she "over-did" it a little, but then, as I grew more mature, and learned she had started in silent films, I understood her performances much better. When you cannot speak, you must convey your role with your eyes, expressions, gestures. To this day, I think she had the ability to convey so much expression through her eyes only.

I understand the poster's frustration -- I hear it all the time about music. You just have to laugh it off and realize people are not going to like what they do not understand. And yes, America's "culture" could do with a vitamin shot!

[–] kelly-527 15 years ago

This is a movie rendition of a play so I think the acting mirrors that to some degree. Not to mention that it is a very dramatic piece of fiction/play that deserves a certain style of acting and delivery. K. Hepburn delivers a dramatic monologue that is treated as such. The OP has many valid points althought I do disagree with M. Clift. He pretty much walked it all in which is probably to the good considering how over the top every one else is.

[–] ManicMuse 15 years ago

how self-aggrandising are you? very. whatever your experience in "broadway" or "hollywood" you are still just an audience member in this instance, and your opinion is no better than any others. Your background may lend to how you experience the movie, but the burden is on the artist not the audience. I doubt T Williams was creating pieces with only graduates of the "best drama schools" in mind. My wealth of experience has taught me that art is relative. One can tell you how you SHOULD experience it but what i think really counts is your GENUINE experience of it. if that means people think that your great masterpiece sucks, so be it.

"WHO'S ON TOP & WHO'S ON BOTTOM NOW, huh?! WHO'S ON TOP & WHO'S ON BOTTOM NOW!"

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] !!!deleted!!! (49761343) 8 years ago

This movie is pretentious, overacted exploitation passing itself as something much deeper than it really is. All the babbling about one's credentials and extensive background in theater isn't going to change that.

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