Review of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) by Danny R — 24 Mar 2011
A spellbinding cinematic masterpiece with outstanding performances, the strange tale of George and Martha, played by Richard Burton in a magnificent Oscar nominated turn as the middle-aged emotionally spent spouse, and Elizabeth Taylor in her towering Oscar winning performance as the foul-mouthed, vitriolic, denigrating, yet seductive wife, they are two sadomasochists who use words as weapons, aiming their alcoholic viciousness at themselves and their house-guests for the evening, a young professor played superbly by George Segal in a excellent Oscar nominated performance, and his nervous mousy wife wonderfully played by Sandy Dennis in a moving Oscar winning turn.
they are all indulging in an all-night orgy of booze and sexual innuendos, the unsuspecting guests gradually undergo a transformation and eventual loss of innocence in this profoundly dark, moody, and occasionally shocking film, brilliant direction by Mike Nichols in his directorial debut, with extraordinary Oscar winning black & white cinematography by Haskell Wexler, the exceptional Art Direction and Costume Design also won Oscars, there is a beautifully haunting score by Alex North.
A unforgettable landmark film that broke many Hollywood taboos for adult material. Nominated for 13 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Director. Highly Recommended.
This review of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) was written by Danny R on 24 Mar 2011.
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? has generally received very positive reviews.
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