Review of Burnt Offerings (1976) by Monsieur R — 01 Oct 2010
While the title tells us nothing about the film, this is an exceptional movie. Bette Davis, Oliver Reed, Karen Black sustain emotion through the entire film.
Family is on summer vacation and gets a home they must take care of and an elderly live-in. We never see the live-in mother, but are introduced to the idea that the house re-invents itself from the guests that rent it.
Bette Davis, well into her retirement, gives a miraculous performance as the very kind aunt who stays in this vacation hide-a-way. Oliver Reed, the father, is just stunning as a husband that has serious doubts about living in this Victorian mansion.
Karen Black, who forever has the misguided eye (her right eye is pointed toward her nose most all the time), is as taken in by this house as anyone could be. Ready to take care of the "old lady" of the mansion, she soon becomes the house personified.
This movie held me in its grasp, despite its low RT rating.
This review of Burnt Offerings (1976) was written by Monsieur R on 01 Oct 2010.
Burnt Offerings has generally received mixed reviews.
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