Review of Orlando (2007) by Will F — 25 Feb 2008
"She's lived for 400 years and hardly aged a day; but, because this is England, everyone pretends not to notice.".
Saw this one rainy afternoon 15 years ago on the King's Road and was utterly spellbound. Tilda Swinton is mesmerising as Virginia Woolf's gender-bending Orlando, brought to the screen by Sally Potter with wit and verve.
It's a truly sumptuous production, exquisite in every detail--simply gorgeous to watch. It's hard to pick a favourite image/sequence but it might have to be her run through the maze from the 18th century to Victorian times. It still gives me chills.
Jimmy Somerville's music is the perfect accompaniment. Quentin Crisp as Queen Elizabeth I is truly inspired casting, and Lothaire Bluteau is fantastic (but the less said about Billy Zane the better).
No, it's not much like the book, but neither was Mansfield Park, and I loved that too. Sadly, I don't think Potter has managed to match it since.
This review of Orlando (2007) was written by Will F on 25 Feb 2008.
Orlando has generally received very positive reviews.
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