Review of Barry Lyndon (1975) by Damjan R — 27 Dec 2012

Stanley Kubrick's epic rumination on the rise and fall of peculiar Irishman Redmond Barry is cinematographically impeccable and his finest outing as a director. The film is split into two parts, both of which chronicle the life of the unlikable character as he is alienated by those around him who begin to recognize how detestable he actually is.

Ryan O'Neal is serviceable as the film's lead, but he sort of fades into the background when the film reaches its second act, which is the lesser of the two. The film's outstanding cinematography, lavish production design and eccentric sense of humor make it such an indelible experience while the sluggishness of the second act makes it less of the masterpiece it could have been.