Review of Becket (1964) by I Don't Know W — 21 Jun 2011
Becket is a rather sad story of the limits of friendship. Peter O'Toole is the stronger thespian of the two, behaving like a spoiled child who occasionally gets that rare glimpse of adult insight to lambaste how dissatisfied with his family and exhort his adoration for Becket.
The story is compelling, and the two leads really make us their pain and their hurt as they struggle with their duty and with their friendship (and in King Henry's case, his pride as well). Production values are excellent all around as is the acting.
Becket's conversion to the ascetic bishop is at best sudden and at worst like flicking a light switch in the movie's narrative flow. Some people do make very important decisions after one epiphany or another, but the filmmakers could have done something a little more with that.
Any Anglophile or fan of the two lead actors will greatly appreciate this movie.
This review of Becket (1964) was written by I Don't Know W on 21 Jun 2011.
Becket has generally received very positive reviews.
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