Sunday Bloody Sunday
A "modern picture masterpiece." -The Hollywood Reporter
Oscar winners Glenda Jackson, Peter Finch and John Schlesinger pool their talents for this "remarkable, exquisitely photographed [and] almost perfectly directed film." (The Hollywood Reporter) about two Londoners coping with the noncommittal affections of the lover they have in common.
Alex Greville (Jackson) and Daniel Hirsh (Finch) are deeply in love...with a young artist named Bob (Murray Head). And though Bob professes to love each of them, he moves freely between them, unencumbered by any sense of guilt. Realizing that their situation is a temporary comfort in an uncomfortable world, Alex and Daniel each grapple with their predicaments, she to face her fear of being alone, and he to come to terms with his homosexuality.
Member Reviews
Prescient, and pitch perfect - QueerNorth63
I still can't believe this film was made in 1971. It feels so current and so accurately shapes stories that are still unfolding today, decades later. I was eight years old when it came out, so I missed the zeitgiest of this film when it landed, which was impressive. All three leads are in perfect form, and for Finch and Jackson it may be up their in their top three shining career performances, next to Women In Love for her and Network for him.
The dynamic still bristles with swinging London and all that still meant in 1971, but it's less a pastiche of the blossoming liberation and beginnings of acceptance for unconventional relationships,and more an intimate love triangle in the manner of Jules & Jim, but with a twist. It instantly reminded me of J&J, but it had less akward moments and really just put it out there with Schlesinger's no-holds-barred punch. Direct, in your face, and terrific. Every look, raised eyebrow, downcast eyes and shrug of shoulders is captured in such intimate close-ups, half the time I literally felt like I was in the room with them. A classic well deserving of that status.Not just another love story - CW--
Ah, love in the 70's! When I'm sure everyone thought we were moving towards free love, without labels and gender stereotypes. This film was clearly a firm believer in that, since the focus of the film (a man in love with both a man and a woman)is never held up to us for judgement, only for observation. And therein lies the crux of the film as well. We are watching something as though we are studying it, not FEELING it. Even given powerhouse performers like Peter Finch and Glenda Jackson as the object of Bob's (Murray Head) affections, it's rare we're let into their heads, or hearts, long enough to understand where they're coming from. There are two scenes which are exceptions. Finch's visit to a Bahmitvah where his isolation comes through in every interaction he has, as well as Jackson's mini breakdown in her friend's apartments. If only the entire film had been balanced with these kind of moments, the inevitable conclusion would have had a much more satisfying resonance.
Member Reviews
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Prescient, and pitch perfect - QueerNorth63
I still can't believe this film was made in 1971. It feels so current and so accurately shapes stories that are still unfolding today, decades later. I was eight years old when it came out, so I missed the zeitgiest of this film when it landed, which was impressive. ...Not just another love story - CW--
Ah, love in the 70's! When I'm sure everyone thought we were moving towards free love, without labels and gender stereotypes. This film was clearly a firm believer in that, since the focus of the film (a man in love with both a man and a woman)is never held ...