Review of Rachel, Rachel (1968) by Ryan H — 19 Nov 2011

Newman directed his wife Joanne Woodward. From Newman's biography that I read, Paul Newman: A Life, I learned that the two of them agreed she was the better actor. Yet she didn't act as often in the movies.

Woodward is Rachel, a woman who hasn't experience a lot in life, is afraid of spinsterhood and taking care of her mother forever, and lives life through daydreams most of the time. This for all intents and purposes was an independent film when nothing but studio productions made it to the big theaters around the country.

The low budget is reflected in the look of the film. Newman is practical with the camera and lighting and other technical aspects, but not very stylish. The movie has a small town feel since it was shot on location in Connecticut.

Still the subject matter would probably have never flown in a big studio production of the time. I don't think edgy is the right word, but offbeat may describe the romance, characters and religious and sexual themes.

It is a boundary pushing story that can often make you feel just a bit uncomfortable as you spend so much time in Rachel's head.