Barry Lyndon
"Pure cinema. Its aching beauty will wipe you out." -Frank Rich, New York Post
How does an Irish lad without prospects become part of the 18th-century English nobility? For Barry Lyndon (Ryan O'Neal) the answer is: any way he can! His climb to wealth and privilege is the enthralling focus of this sumptuous Stanley Kubrick version of William Makepeace Thackeray's novel.
For this ravishing, slyly satiric winner of 4 Academy Awards®, Kubrick found inspiration in the works of the era's painters. Costumes and sets were crafted in the era's designs and pioneering lenses were developed to shoot interiors and exteriors in natural light. The result? Barry Lyndon endures as a cutting-edge movie that brings a historical period to vivid screen life like no other film before or since.
Member Reviews
Lack of Character Study - ABC99
I generally do not like movies where people write with feathers. Barry Lyndon is a rare breed of character study, in that its focus has no character to speak of. I wonder if Kubrick chose Ryan O'neil in the leadbecause he is so dull and passive. The character here goes on an extrodinary journey but lacks the character to fulfill his role in any of them.
Its beauful film to look at but its definatly hard to warm up to.Beautiful film, dreadful lead actor - Alexandra
The main fallback of "Barry Lyndon" is Ryan O'Neil. This man simply cannot act. In certain scenes that require nuance, he was laughable. It reminded me of Kubrick's other disaster, "Eyes Wide Shut". I know that Tom Cruise can actually act ("Born on the Fourth of July" AND "Magnolia" - I rest my case) but there was a major disconnect in Kubrick's final film in terms of the acting. It leads me to wonder whether the casting is intentional in some way, to simply add to the overall visual glory of "Barry Lyndon". Marissa Berenson, though stunningly beautiful to look at, isn't much better than Ryan O.
Aside from this major flaw, the film is a visual feast and worthwhile slogging through the acting simply to observe.Stunningly beautiful and darkly hiliarous - Lone_Wolf
Ever wondered what would happen if an 18th century piece of art were to come alive? Look no further than Kubrick’s period masterpiece Barry Lyndon. On paper, the film sounds a bit ridiculous, especially considering the three hour runtime. Redmond Barry wins a pistol duel and but winds up robbed and is forced to joins the British army. Then he deserts and joins the Prussian army, and then becomes a spy. Before Barry realizes it, he all of the sudden is royalty. But movies are not about the destination; they are about the journey – and while the film sounds simplistic, the three hour journey is one of magnificent beauty and hilarious misfortune.
Some of the best cinematography of all time makes Barry Lyndon look like a moving painting, and the classical score perfectly complements that absolutely genius visuals. The story, though deceivingly simple, is actually surprisingly entertaining and even darkly funny. Barry Lyndon is a three hour film with a snail’s pace, yet the time flies by and you find yourself oddly absorbed in your observation of the unfortunate life of Barry Lyndon. It’s visually beautiful, gorgeous and simply breathtaking – one of the most masterfully composed films of all time - and as if that were not enough, it is also strangely entertaining. It’s as if the audience is God watching down on the life of poor Barry Lyndon, but never intervening because we simply find his calamity and misfortune so morbidly amusing.
Member Reviews
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Lack of Character Study - ABC99
I generally do not like movies where people write with feathers. Barry Lyndon is a rare breed of character study, in that its focus has no character to speak of. I wonder if Kubrick chose Ryan O'neil in the leadbecause he is so dull and passive. The character ...Beautiful film, dreadful lead actor - Alexandra
The main fallback of "Barry Lyndon" is Ryan O'Neil. This man simply cannot act. In certain scenes that require nuance, he was laughable. It reminded me of Kubrick's other disaster, "Eyes Wide Shut". I know that Tom Cruise can actually act ("Born on the Fourth ...Stunningly beautiful and darkly hiliarous - Lone_Wolf
Ever wondered what would happen if an 18th century piece of art were to come alive? Look no further than Kubrick’s period masterpiece Barry Lyndon. On paper, the film sounds a bit ridiculous, especially considering the three hour runtime. Redmond Barry wins ...