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Darling

Darling

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What a jewel of a movie!
Review: This is the movie that made Julie Christie a star on this side of the Atlantic. (1965 Academy Award for Best Actress.) It is truly a masterpiece that still hits the mark almost 40 years later. Inexpicably, it remains somewhat of a "sleeper"--a delight to discover, but not nearly as celebrated as it should be. Directed by John Scheslinger (at the top of his craft here), this is a beautifully acted, visually stunning examination of the mores of the European mid-1960's "Jet Set." The characters "swing" their way through a hedonistic search for meaning, but don't seem to find what they are looking for. Some of this movie may look dated now, but to me,that just enhances the viewing experience. Watching "Darling" is like finding a time capsule that clearly evokes the feel of a certain time and place. The story is told in a sophisticated satirical style, following the Julie Christie character through amorous opportunism. She sleeps her way to the top of the international fashion world, only to find her success and fame to be empty and soulless. This movie is perfectly poised between serious drama and romantic comedy. It is never preachy; the viewer is allowed the independence and maturity to draw his own moral conclusions. Remarkably appealing in tone and mood-- this is moviemaking as an art form. Do yourself a favor and discover it for yourself!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: THE "60's" film with an Icon at her start . . .
Review: This is The ultimate "60's" film. A wonderfully witty & intelligent script, superb performances, masterful direction and in glorious B&W. All about a princess named Diana, in search of herself in "Swinging London". Ms. Christie never makes a false move (rumored to be based on Grace Kelly & offered to Shirley Maclaine) and she is the beautiful orbit that this film revolves around. One of the great under-appreciated films of the 60's. Own it & commit it to memory.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Cutting out the charm and character...
Review: This MGM Home Video version of Darling (#1005693) is not a full version of the film. It was enjoyable but rings of media puritanism. A number of defining scenes, albe-them mildly risque, are missing. This is cultural and historical bleaching. We must discourage companies from ruining films. Do not buy it. I am now out the money and looking for the full version on DVD.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: darling capri...
Review: what a great film. julie christie gives a sexy swinging sixties performance worthy of her oscar. the scenes in capri are a must for anyone interested in 'la dolce vita' of the 1960's.....

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Christie is stunning!
Review: What a great history lesson! Wanna' know how those swinging, decadent London 60's were? Just watch this film. Julie Christie is simply stunning in the title role. It's a wonderful film...rather long but well worth the time...

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A BLAST FROM THE PAST...
Review: Winner of the 1965 Oscar for Best Actress, the beautiful and pouty lipped Julie Christie gives a glowing performance as an amoral covergirl, Diana Scott, in the swinging '60s in London.

Diana, who is married, is having an affair with a married television correspondent, Robert Gold, played to perfection by the sexy and world weary, Dirk Bogarde. Eventually, they leave their respective mates and set up house together in swinging London. All is not hunky dory for long, as Julie goes on to have an affair with her agent, Miles, divinely played by Laurence Harvey. When Robert discovers her lies and infidelity, he leaves her.

Diana goes on to party hearty, and she ultimately meets a wealthy and widowed, Italian prince while on location in Italy shooting a commercial. After a perfunctory meeting, she meets up with him again, and he proposes. She thinks about his proposal, and ultimately consents to becoming Princess Diana.

Only after marrying him, a virtual stranger to her, does she realize how lonely she is. She finds herself being left in their palazzo with his seven children, while the prince is away, ostensibly visiting his mother without her. She realizes that she is living in a gilded cage, no more than a trophy wife.

She impulsively contacts Robert and flies to England to meet with him. After they make love, she realizes how much she loved him, and declares her feelings for him, only to be rebuffed. He then sends her packing, back to her empty life in Italy. Yet, he does so at great emotional cost to himself, as well.

This film is very representative of the swinging sixties and conveys a real sense of the joie de vivre of the period. It deals with subjects that were formerly taboo. There are subtle and sly references to homosexuality. Abortion and a woman's sexuality are issues in the film and dealt with in a way with which these issues were not ordinarily dealt. While it may seem tame by today's standards, this was very cutting edge in its time, and reflective of some of the changes which society, as a whole, was undergoing. This movie is definitely an oldie but a goodie.


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