Saturday, September 26, 2009
SORRY MESS
Today's Alan Bates film was really a filmed version of the Simon Gray play he did on stage.
The filmed version was directed by Harold Pinter.
Butley is a skilled practitioner of intellectual sadism which, when he gets his payback, fulfills his appetite for real life masochism. Yeh, I know. But they usually work both sides of the street.
He is such a bastard that people eventually do him in.
He is also an alcoholic. A separate but aggravating condition. And a closet homosexual. Actually, like most secretly gay men, everyone knows his secret. His closet has pretty thin walls. Everyone can see in but he can't get out.
As it happens, this being a Simon Gray play, the dances that go on are rather funny. Sometimes hilarious. There is a special blend of tragedy and comedy throughout.
The hand of Pinter is rather cleaer as well. Everything is close in. Close up. But toned down.
The supporting cast, which is excellent, includes Jessica Tandy. A special treat.
All very good.
I will give it a 4 out of Netflix5.
In the photo, Pinter coaches Bates.
