Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Rating:
Summary: What game should we play now?
Review: A 4 person descent into hell that had me thinking of Sartre's No Exit line, 'Hell is other people'. Burton and Taylor put on performances that set a standard. Purely a dialogue driven film, the writing is beyond compare. Dancing nicely between horrific, funny, and sad with great grace. There are very few films able to bring both screen writing and acting together at such a high level. The ending is particularly satisfying with big question marks pocking all the themes.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Comedy Of All Time!
Review: What a great comedy! A friend recommended this movie to me, and I found myself laughing the whole way through! The back and forth bickering between the married couples is hilarious - and the scene in the diner is an absolute classic. The gags just keep coming one after another. Mel Brooks couldn't have done it any better. Although it drags in spots, I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone looking for a comedy with a lot of laughs. It's right up there with "There's Something About Mary" and "American Pie". You'll love it!

Rating:
Summary: Amazing acting!
Review: While watching Mike Nichols' film, based on Edward Elby's play, one is overwhelmed by the talent of its stars, Richard Burton and his wife and lover at the time, Elizabeth Taylor. The film portrays the hatred between an aging couple, that has grown tired of each other over the long years they were together and amuse themselves by humiliating and torturing each other. How far from the truth! In the 60s they were the hottest couple in Hollywood! This indicates a remarkable talent! Great!

Rating:
Summary: Mesmerising and unforgettable.
Review: This is one of cinemas ultimate emotional rollercoasters. It contains what are widely reputed as being the best screen performances of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor and I for one agree with this. This is due not only to their talent and hard work but to the exceptional quality of the writing and directing. Playwright Edward Albee makes George and Martha win our sympathy. The picture shows a couple whose career and family aspirations have been so frustrated that if they are not at each others throats, they retreat into a fantasy world where they are raising a son. Some audiences may find the relentless bantering and vindictiveness between the couple excessive but this degree of intensity is true to the work. Of sure interest from a psycholgical point of view are the dynamics between the two couples who have gathered for 'drinks'. We see each members frailties and heartaches and agony but also their capacity for ruthlessness. The picture is a no holds barred exploration of the dark night of the soul. If you can bear the deep anguish of the piece (it won't be everyone's cup of tea!) you will witness some of the most honest and heartfelt writing and acting that is ever likely to be captured on film.

Rating:
Summary: snap go the dragons
Review: What lies beneath the surface? under the pleasantries, the luncheons, the handshakes, the idle gossip? Dysfunction, loathing, love, infidelity and lots of drinking. Taylor and Burton are superb and Sany Dennis give a performance second only to the one she gave in the out of towners. Often funny , always disturbing, watch it again and again.

Rating:
Summary: Truth or Illusion
Review: First of all: if you're a play fan and you enjoy drama that makes you think, then this is for you. If you would rather have brain candy, then I suggest you check out something by Kevin Costner or Julia Roberts. Having said that, this film / play can be interpreted several ways; some feel the film alludes to the death of the American Dream (George and Martha stand for George and Martha Washington, and their child, the blond-haired blue-eyed "perfect son", represents the United States / the All American male as alluded to in Albee's "The American Dream" - ironic in that the son never existed to begin with); others simply take it at face value as a portrayal of a sadomasochistic couple. While I personally enjoy the first interpretation, one of the first things I noticed about the work was that it deals heavily with the difference between truth and illusion and the ironies within. The truth is, George and Martha cannot live without one another; the illusion is that they really hate each other; and yet it is the mutual "fun and games" that keep them together. The truth - George and Martha could not have children; the illusion - not only that the child is fake, but that they even need a child in order to have a reason to remain together. The truth is, Nick and Honey are really as unhappy as George and Martha SEEM to be on the outside; yet from the outset they put on an illusion that makes them appear to be the all-American couple. I suggest you buy the play and read it if you want more of the ironies to stand out; but the film is about as faithful to the original play as it was possible for a Hollywood production in the 60's to be (that, and the original play is over 3 hours long). Granted, this film probably did go over well during the 60's, a decade when most of America was so stoned they didn't care what they saw on the screen - plus the fact that it featured Burton and Taylor fighting like a cat and dog throughout. I give it 4 stars simply because I felt it hampered the film to have the action progress to a road house in the middle and then back to the house. The claustrophobic setting of the living room of George and Martha's house was perfect for providing the dialogue with some added intensity (maybe they didn't feel Taylor, who gained 30 pounds for the film, would be able to dance with Segal in such a confined space). And I feel, unlike many critics of the late 60's, that Sandy Dennis is the scene-stealer of the film ("Two grown men dancing - HEAVENS! "). All in all, a lot of fun to study if you are like me and enjoy art that makes you think.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: The finest work of both Taylor and Burtons careers is fitting employed in this incredibly powerful play. Such a compelling story at your first viewing, yet complex and fascinating enough for you return to the play over and over again. If you never see another Taylor Burton film make sure you see this!

Rating:
Summary: Would Somebody please explain this movie to me?
Review: I've never heard a bad word about this movie. After renting it the other night, I still do not understand what it means. Four people get drunk and mumble all night. Maybe this was a breakthough in cinematography in 1966, but by 2000, what's the deal? Maybe I don't understand because I'm 26.

Rating:
Summary: Real rating should be 10 stars (at least)
Review: What a treat! If you enjoy pure/sheer acting finely achieved by great performers (the director is so good that you forget about him while watching the 'show'), this is one of the most perfect I've ever seen.

Rating:
Summary: All Time Favorite
Review: This movie is my all time favorite. If it was in Color it would not be the same. Some scary resemblance to Richard and Liz's real life relationship. The most intense dialog, most gut wrenching insults that dig to the deepest part of humanity. "do not talk about the little bugger Martha". My favorite scene is after they return from a bar. The car is parked haphazardly by the house with the left tail light left on to blink. Mike Nichols is a master.