Review of Barry Lyndon (1975) by Scott H — 16 Sep 2012

Many pro and amateur reviewers alike pour the praise on this film, with some calling it Kubrick's best, and others even "the best (or one of the best) movies of all time." These people are mistaken. This is easily one of the most lifeless films I've ever seen, populated (with a couple of exceptions) by dull, wooden characters, most notably Barry himself. It doesn't come close to Kubrick's earlier masterpieces (Strangelove, Clockwork, 2001).

Certainly it is a gorgeous film. The photography, locations, sets and costumes are beyond critique. But sadly, that seems to have been the point of the whole exercise. The story is only mildly interesting, and any dramatic tension is always promptly defused by a narrator who tells us what's coming before it happens. We're also challenged by the film's 3-hour length. I will dare to say that Kubrick needed a better editor. Countless scenes in this movie could have had their length halved with no ill effect on the drama.

To paraphrase one online reviewer's words "it's like watching paint dry, even if it is very pretty paint." I agree.