Review of Out of Africa (1985) by Brian S — 02 Nov 2011
All in all, for a film that takes place in the wilds of Africa, the story is extremely tame. Isak Dinesen certainly has an interesting life story, but this film just doesn't do it much dramatic justice.
the acting is solid--Meryl Streep always impresses, and Redford and Brandauer are great as the contrasting men in her life. Malick Bowens and Joseph Thiaka were also quite excellent in their minor supporting roles.
I guess my biggest complaint--since this is supposed to be a love story--is that the romance is extremely boring. I don't feel any chemistry or spark of passion. I don't feel any sense of longing or desperation.
like everything else in this movie, it just kind of happens. syphilis, fire, infidelity, war, death, safari...all major events treated with the same general passivity. the story moves along and fills the time, but certainly not with any major help from conflict.
the one truly great thing about this film is the cinematography...some of the shots from that first airplane ride were just breathtaking. the overall layout and environment in the film looked very epic.
..it just wasn't that epic in the end product.
This review of Out of Africa (1985) was written by Brian S on 02 Nov 2011.
Out of Africa has generally received positive reviews.
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