Review of Becket (1964) by Ike O — 01 Aug 2007

Two of the greatest British actors on par and on song! So well-shot and such incredible diction and passion are brought to the fore by the wonderfully understated Burton and the intriguingly over-the-top O'Toole, easily one of my favorite actors ever.

This is the best kind of costume drama - not only is there political intrigue, but it is a worthy character study essayed with poignancy and incredible intellect. There's an incredible undercurrent of homoeroticism that can be distracting - I was drawn into an idea of a love between 2 men that's deeper than words or mere physicality can quantify (this ain't Brokeback Castle).

These two characters are so layered, complex, contradictory and flawed - ultimately against one another but indelibly and intrinsically linked. Their arcs are so dramatic but also so human and logical without being predictable.

It was made in a time when filmmakers understood that epics were built on people, their internal conflicts and struggles and their external relationships with those around them. Not on the level of, say, 'The Lion In Winter', and certainly not on par with 'Lawrence of Arabia', but a splendid, handsome (if poorly scored) and engrossing period piece/character-study/costume-drama.

I've waited a year to see this, and it's been well worth the wait.