Review of Out of Africa (1985) by Dawdlingpoet — 22 Nov 2021

This is a gentle, slow watch which features some lovely settings and (thus) quite pretty cinematography (including aerial photography), with many of the animals Africa is well known for; being put on show (or should I say on screen?). There is a nice amount of chemistry between Karen (played by Merl Streep) and Denys (played by Robert Redford). As the story continues, we learn more about Karens background and I found it an interesting watch. Its a nice, pleasant watch - not at all raunchy or saucy but with a definite romance angle and I thought the cast did well in their performances. At times there is relaltively little in the way of dialogue but then in a sense thats a good thing as it sort of clarifies the happiness felt by certain characters in just being where they are, soaking up the landscape, their situation and looking at things for what they are.

I felt frustrated by the way that some people treated the African locals - I wouldn't say their exactly respected as they perhaps should be but then again, maybe thats to be expected for the time the film is set in (the first half of the 20th century). I should perhaps also note that the film is based on a true story, the novel 'Out of Africa' by Karen Blixen.

At times it has the feel of an epic, although I would say that, in terms of criticism, it felt a little too long in terms of the running time, certainly near the start of the film, when the plot direction didn't seem especially clear - it didn't seem so much of an epic then but it did moreso towards the end. In any case, I was glad I stuck with it and overall I'd recommend it, yes.