Review of Out of Africa (1985) by Leighton T — 31 Jul 2010

This film has all the pedigree of being a great film: true story, epic romance, big name beautiful actors, high profile director, etc. And 7 Oscars later, it apparently delivered. All that pedigree didn't add up to much for me, especially for being a Best Picture.

Simply put, the film is a bore. Believe me, I can usually find a reason to appreciate a film, but it took all I had to get through this film. It moves at a glacial pace, and even though Meryl Streep is magnificent as always (the accent is very impressive), all the actors feel like they're shooting themselves in the foot constantly because they're not given too much important to say and therefore their characters never really develop all that well.

When we finally get to the romance of the two leads, it's simply not compelling. It's like the photography, the "shot in location" effect, the gorgeous musical score, the costumes and settings, should make up for this.

Visually, it does make for an impressive viewing, but the fact is is that while the script seems at face value to be layered, textured, deep, but when it's really looked at, it is pretty void of the themes and characterization it seems so sure it has.

These characters are painted in broad strokes, vaguely trying to resemble these real people that existed. They come off as caricatures of classic romance films. A disappointment, in my book.