Review of Splendor in the Grass (1961) by Pamela D — 01 Oct 2012

I never would have thought I'd go for a romance film, much less one this old, but William Inge's heavy, hard-hitting, story of unrequited love is so much more than that. The irony of Splendor In The Grass is that only strongly emotional viewers can truly appreciate its truth and tragedy, yet if one is too emotional, she might not be able to withstand its eventuality.

Ingeniously written, it's about cruel irony, repression, what happens when we don't communicate that which is most important, to those who are most important to us, and how our enslavement to practical considerations can have tragic results, making the world a pointless, senseless place where all is for naught. Lately, this film becomes more relevant to me than ever and I can't watch it without falling to uncontrollable tears at it's striking, soul-crushing ending. Everyone who believes in love should be made to watch this movie before they fuck up their lives.