Review of Barry Lyndon (1975) by Michael A Elkana F — 15 Sep 2009

Barry Lyndon is a story about Redmond Barry, a man started from a village, gradually climbing his way up to the 18th century high class society, before then plunged back to where he actually belongs. Along his way, he repetitively changes his job, from a Brits soldier, to Prussian soldier, then gets his way up the social ladder. At first we're being presented with how humble (but also tricky) Redmond Barry is, his love to his own cousin, that at the end becomes a betrayal, causing him to move from his village, but from there his way to become a nobleman begins in a respective way. But fate begins to change when he already became the part of nobility itself. His ambition (and also his mother's as well) causing both of them being swallowed by greed. Tragedies after tragedies struck them, one after another (i won't going to spoil it here =P) and finally end in such a tragic way.

The cinematography itself is top-notch (Of course it is, we're talking about Kubrick here, the man who creates 2001,considered as milestones in sci-fi genre along with Metropolis & Blade Runner). The sceneries are unbelievable, spectacular, you can printscreen every parts of this picturesque movie and compare it with paintings (especially the part where they're playing cards, Kubrick uses the lens that's being used by NASA to capture every movement, with just the light from CANDLES !! It creates a magnificent effect just like you're looking at an oil painting), the costumes are such a grace & awesome. When you're watching this, you become part of this movie, you feel like you're being transported in a time capsule back to the golden era of Europe, walking along the parks and corridors of palaces.

Overall, if you're a period-movie lovers, this one is an absolute, a must on your list, a solid 10/10 for this cynical view of high class society and manner !!! It's now one of my favorite movie of ALL TIME !!