MovieChat Forums > Boom (1968) Discussion > Revision - Genius Film

Revision - Genius Film

posted 15 years ago by SissyGoforth
11 replies | jump to latest

This film is overdue for a revised opinion - it is BRILLIANT. Aside from the tatty majesty of Taylor/Burton commencing their decline there's Liz's wardrobe including ever changing hair pieces and who could not watch open jawed the first time she appears in THAT head dress for dinner with Noel Coward and Indian sitars, or her "HUH" as Burton recites Coleridge in dreamy tones. Granted Noel Coward's characterisation of the Witch of Capri was rather tired (what couldn't Frank Thring or Truman Capote have done with the character) and clearly Richard Burton was 15-20 years too old for the part. The combination of frantic melodrama and late 60's glamour had me mesmerised to the credits.

[–] AndrewTarek 14 years ago

Hear hear I'm in total agreement with you. Thank you.

[–] steven-222 14 years ago

Absolutely!

[–] jimi99 14 years ago

Just watched it last night for the first time since '68 and got SO much more out of it...All that you mentioned, there is a lot of distraction just from being Liz & Dick, but Tennessee Williams definitely did have a major theme, the concept of a guide to help people die, not a trivial concept in the least but one which most people seem to want to deny or avoid. And the suspense to the very end as to whether Flanders was indeed that angel of death or something more sinister. The final scene is indeed BRILLIANT and profound. Why isn't this available on DVD?

"SEDAGIVE?"

[–] anthonyjohnFReynolds 14 years ago

Great -classic- TW dialogue..beautiful cast, amazing set, music..lush...lush..lush...

"ah have always depended upon the strangeness of kindness..."

[–] AliciaHuberman59 13 years ago

Saw this briefly (dinner a deux with Coward scene) about 30 years ago and have been craving a full viewing since. Lucky enough to have done so recently and absolutely adore it. Talk about a guilty pleasure!

[–] denis-38 12 years ago

I'm especially fond of the last 15 minutes, as she tries to get him into bed, then orders him dinner--slaughtering every Italian word--and finally faces her mortality. La Liz is especially good. (I mean, actually acting, rather than merely entertaining us with all that off-pitch shrieking.)

My only complaint is that Taylor is filmed, in this vital scene, mostly in long-shot, with her breasts jutting from under that nightie most disconcertingly. She really isn't fat in "Boom!" tho she ain't skinny. But those outfits would have made Twiggy look big. In any case, she sure doesn't look like a woman who is ill, or dying. Or one that will ever die!

She gives a more sensitive performance in Losey's "Secret Ceremony." Although for those who love their Liz "bad" there is enough of that, too.

[–] LetThemEatCake01 8 years ago

i never understood that, why in pivotal dramatic scenes, directors choose to go for the longshot, I don't understand it, although I have no complaints about Losey here or in Secret Ceremony, he's not shoddy like Mankiewicz and he truly made use of Liz, his two movies are full of close ups of the most beautiful actress in the world, as it should be and very modern filmmaking. That languid close up of Liz's eyes is enough to warrant a blu ray and being chosen for registry!

[–] Garethjj 11 years ago

I've always found this a fascinating film. And the more juvenile modern movies become, the more I love it.
I wish Criterion would release a new transfer.

[–] robert4770 10 years ago

I agree Garethjj this is a lost treasure

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] Jones70 (6195) 2 years ago

Nice! I need to watch this sometime!