Review of Barry Lyndon (1975) by Ryan H — 30 May 2010

Undeniably one of the most beautifully shot films ever made. It took me a little bit to really get myself into this film, but once I really enjoyed this masterpiece from Kubrick. He sets a story on a man named Redmond Barry and from the beginning tells us what we're going to see.

We know Redmond Barry is going to become rich then lose it all and die childless. But the epic journey to that point is an incredible one. OK, perhaps it's not the best journey, but the way it's told is what makes it so perfect.

Redmond Barry is perhaps one of the most human characters ever put on screen. He has his faults. He's immature in certain situations. He feels sympathy when someone has a similar situation as himself.

When we think he will do evil we see his heart start beating. He's unpredictable. The first half of the movie is all about Redmond Barry's rise from being a poor man in Ireland to a rich man in England.

The second half shows every mistake he makes once in that position which leads to his fall back to Ireland. But Kubrick makes it clear that success isn't measured by how much money one makes, but the way one lives one's life.

I watched this in many different viewings because I was working On Broadway, but I kept watching it every moment I could simply because I was intrigued and entertained. I hope to see it again, and next time in one sitting.