Review of Doctor Zhivago (1965) by Elijah B — 29 Dec 2008

For some reason, I just don't like much of what David Lean made after BRIEF ENCOUNTER. I mean, of course this is a great film, technically. It was very ingenious in chanelling the old Soviet montage system and the actors are excellent.

I just can't make the emotional connection to any of the characters in the film. I was able to make the connection with Peter O'Toole in LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, but I couldn't connect to Omar Shariff as Zhivago.

Neither of the two films had the flow that his previous works such as GREAT EXPECTATIONS or BREIF ENCOUNTER had. They also seem to put aside sentimentality for a more inventive and rapid method of intercutting scenes.

For those who have seen Lean's earlier works, this pace will confuse you a little in terms of the plot structure. It seems to skip around alot. I am torn on this film because I want to say it's the best thing I've ever seen, but it's left me cold.

Sorry.