Author! Author! And a Problem Addressed
I have to ask, WHY is there nowhere on this page, or in any of the customer reviews (as yet), ANY mention of WILLIAM LUCE, the talented WRITER of this wonderful play which Christopher Plummer so brilliantly and unforgettably brought to life on the stage? Mr. Luce is also the author of (among many other plays) 'The Belle Of Amherst' for which Julie Harris won a richly deserved Tony Award (as did Plummer for 'Barrymore') for her luminous portrayal of Emily Dickinson. And it's a pity that the writer of such superb material is often not given adequate -- or ANY -- credit for their marvelous craft, without which it is doubtful that those Tony awards would have been forthcoming. After all, no actor performs in a vacuum, without the benefit (or sometimes hindrance) of the play in which they are appearing. So here's a huge "BRAVO" to William Luce for his glorious WORDS! Take a bow, sir!
An important addendum: Now that I have received the DVD I am delighted to report that it...
Barrymore - "I Need To Be Taken Seriously"
One person drama is very tricky stuff. There has to be an outstanding script - and an actor or actress that delivers the lines like an electric current. For most of this piece, well, Christopher Plummer pulls it off.
The time is 1942. John Barrymore is a hopeless alcoholic literally on his last legs. His mind is a swamp of lost and confused memories. But (as he says) he needs to be taken seriously so he arranges to play Shakespeare's Richard III, a role he once made famous. As Barrymore, when Plummer recites the Bard with feeling, he is darn effective. Then he lapses into an alcoholic reverie that offers less rewards. What we experience, and experience is the word, is a glimpse of a great man sinking into wretchedness. Lines of Shakespeare and episodes of Barrymore's life are pieced together the way a drunk stumbles down a street. But I felt that Plummer captured some of Barrymore's greatness. He makes you believe he could have been the actor at the end of his...
Wow!
Not very eloquent, but after seeing this movie in the theatre, that was pretty much all I could say. I've been a huge fan of Christopher Plummer for years and this is by far the best performance I have ever seen from him. Makes me kick myself for not traveling whatever distance I had to, to see it live. I'm grateful they decided to film it. This performance should not be missed! If I could give it 10 stars, I would!
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