Review of Barry Lyndon (1975) by John P — 20 Sep 2008

Jesus nuts. I really really love this movie. I mean, it should really repel rather than captivate. Who the hell wants to watch some dude con his way into high society in 18th century Europe, especially when most scenes are just people talking to each other?

Well, that's Kubrick for you. He could have made a film about someone painting a house, and it'd be absolutely captivating.

This is probably the best camerawork I've ever seen, if not the best shot composition EVER. Using natural lighting and huge-ass lenses, John Alcott's cinematography manages to make every shot look like a painting.

This is a darkly funny, and endlessly interesting look at European aristocracy, and it's just a damn fun movie. Highly overlooked, and more than worth a watch. It's worth watching every freakin' month!