Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Rating:
Summary: Am I missing something?
Review: I finally gave in and rented this movie since so many people rave about it? I DIDN'T find it revolutionary or darkly beautiful. I just think that maybe I "don't get it" as one reviewer suggested. I find Elizabeth Taylor vile and I find myself wanting to slap her hard throughout the film. I simply lost interest in their rantings and (gasp) turned it off. For the life of me, I cannot understand how someone could call this "the best film ever made". They must have seen very few and/or poor quality films to make such a grand statement.

Rating:
Summary: drop in for a drink...........
Review: Settle down and get ready to see hell come to life, with WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?..........Edward Albee's searing play, brought to the screen by writer Ernest Lehman and director Mike Nichols.

George and Martha (Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor) are two people that live in their own little fantasy worlds, too busy to even contemplate the notion that their marriage is a failure and a sham. They invite a new faculty couple to their house for drinks, and the stage is set for a night that will test them all and their fidelity.

Elizabeth Taylor, who gained weight to play Martha, has never been more shockingly first-rate than in this film. Her performance is sheer electricity; she is touching and repulsing, all at once.

Sandy Dennis, as Honey, is also very good. Beneath the mousy exterior lies a bitchy young tramp that will not take no for an answer.

George Segal and Richard Burton are fine, too, but Albee gave the galvanising and quick one-liners to Martha and Honey.

A superb score by Alex North (THE MISFITS), stunning black and white photography, and great costume design all come together to create a truly absorbing and intriguing film, one that improves with repeat viewings.

Rating:
Summary: Elegant and Brilliant, Darkly disturbing.
Review: I'm so sick of people posting one star reviews when they just "don't get" a classic film. If you don't get this movie, go back to watching Will Smith and Jean-Claude Van Damme. You don't deserve to be posting comments on the board of an awe-inspiring film such as this. One of the original dark, almost noir-like films to make it big, you can't go wrong with "Who's afraid of Virginia Wolfe." I would rate this six stars if I could.

Rating:
Summary: Taylor and Burton's greatest!
Review: It is hard to fathom this film not walking away with every Oscar it was nominated for but it didn't. So much has already been written about Miss Taylor's performance that I'll just say this, it is her greatest performance and certainly one of the greatest performances of all time. Mr. Burton is heartbreaking as her down trodden husband and deserved the Oscar. George Segal! ah, he really could act, once upon a time! Sandy Dennis! She broke my heart in this one! What a fine, fine actress she was. We lost her much to soon! It is a staggering film, brilliant on all counts!!!

Rating:
Summary: Martha is 108.... years old. She wieghs considerably more.
Review: I've sat here for 15 minutes wondering what to write for this review. I still don't know how to describe how amazing this film is. I watched it for the first time last night because I knew Elizabeth Taylor was in it, and I've always been vaguely interested in her. Since then I have watched it another two times. Because I didn't quite understand it; because i realised how many metaphors and meanings and themes there are; and because it is an amazingly scripted, shot and acted movie. It's one of those films that affects you, makes you think about it afterwards and completely takes over for a while. I don't get this often with films (this and the color purple), so it's quite a find. Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and the actress that played Honey all deserved oscars, with 'Nick' letting the movie down slightly in my opinion.
When I first saw this film, I was trying to keep up with the many meanings and themes, laughing hysterically at the sarcasm and wit (especially that of George) and was in awe of the fantastic acting. Not to mention trying to put the pieces together to get the full picture (which I still don't entirely have).
This should have been a book for it's complexities and metaphors and the strength of characters, and the way that it infects the mind. However, it is an amazing film, and I can't wait to read the play.
One of the best films of all time; watch it now!

Rating:
Summary: Burton and Taylor's Triumph
Review: This is the only truly great movie Burton and Taylor ever made and it's magnificent. Easily Taylor's greatest performance, it is also Richard Burton's finest hour. Finally he is able to harness his propensity to overact and he gives a tour de force performance as the hen-pecked George. Burton utterly dominates the movie, though Taylor has the superior role and wittier lines. The subtlety that Burton brings to the character of George is mesmerizing to watch, he is alternately whipped and dominant, funny and then full of pathos. A magnificent performance!

The interplay between George and Martha is exquisite. As a purely dialogue-driven movie, the acting must be superlative or interest will flag. There is no danger of that, not only is the script brilliant but the acting supports the dialogue at every turn.

This is a riveting movie from first to last, one of the great American films. The acting, direction by Mike Nichols and understated cinematography add up to a masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: Perfection.
Review: Finally, a film in which Elizabeth Taylor gives a performance to rival any of the other great actresses of her time. This biting black comedy is as perfect a movie adaption of a stage play can be. The writing is phenomenal and the acting first rate. One of my all-time favorites.

Rating:
Summary: "i am, george, i am..."
Review: i'm 15 years old. my mother didn't want me to watch this film...(after viewing it, i think inside she feels ashamed of her personality matching martha's too closely..) anyways, i just finished watching it about an hour ago. i was touched at how, under all the hostility, george and martha truly needed each other. it was very moving and maybe too familiar. perhaps even more so than what seemed at the beginning of the film as the "perfect couple", nick and honey. this film makes one want to examine life and look closer at those around you. it also makes me want to read the screenplay and learn a little more about virginia woolf...

Rating:
Summary: Great commentary track from Haskell Wexler
Review: One of the best commentary tracks from a non-director or non-film-critic I have heard on a laserdisc or DVD. Haskel Wexler talks at length about various subjects on the technical and artistic aspects on the film.

Oh, the film is great too but you already know that.

Rating:
Summary: they were wrong...some things are perfect...Woolf is proof
Review: I am not exaggerating when I say that, in my opinion, this is the finest movie ever made. Elizabeth Taylor(who gained weight & went out of her way to appear much older to get this role) and Richard Burton give the best performances of their careers. Mike Nichols(The Graduate) does a wonderful directing job. This adaptation of Edward Albee's dark play is perfect. There is not a wasted line in the entire film. The language and subject matter of this movie were quite controversial when this movie initially was released(1966). It is as intense and unsettling as sitting between your favorite married couple as they have the worst argument you can imagine. George Segal & Sandy Dennis are brilliant as the young couple who come over to spend an evening with George & Martha(Burton & Taylor). They unwittingly walk into the dreadful twilight years of what appears to be one of the most disastrous marriages ever to grace the silver screen. The wit, realism & nastiness of this film have to be seen to be believed! Segal & Dennis' characters are at the beginning of their marriage when they meet George & Martha. They will never be the same after one night in the hell of those wicked hearts. There is very dark humor, intensely painful moments, as well as plentiful suspense and shock. I don't want to give away the details...so I won't. Ah, but these are just words on a screen. Get this movie and experience the most well-written movie I have ever seen!

As far as screwed up alcoholic love stories go, this is right there with Days Of Wine & Roses/The Lost Weekend/Barfly. I had to pause it a couple of times the first time I ever saw it...just to let the tension settle some. It's that strong!