The Browning Version

Rating:
Summary: Great Albert Finney Version
Review: This remake never gives a clue that it is a remake, as the great Albert Finney, who's make many great films including Night Must Fall, envelopes himself in the character of Hitler of the Lower Fifth. I now see where Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf got it's theme; this is the more realistic version of the Albee play. You can feel the emotions Finney feels as he comes to the end of a failed teaching career and marriage: the subleties of sadness, anger, and ultimate emotional triumph. The film is basically about transcending one's despair with honesty to self and others. A great film all around.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: Using a lot of the prep school imagery of Dead Poet's Society, The Browning Version is an outstanding story with a great cast. Albert Finney gives what I would consider an Oscar worthy performance throughout the film, and both Julian Sands and Matthew Modine played complex and interesting supporting roles. My only complaint of the film is that I would like to have seen these two secondary characters developed more. I would actually like to see this story two more times, with each of these two characters playing the main role and seeing the story from their points of view. I would hardly call this a fault of the movie, however. Like a great novel, often what is not included in the story is as important as what is. Although I don't want to draw parallels because the movies are completely different, but I think if you enjoyed Dead Poets, you will like this one.