Sweet Bird of Youth
Passions take wing in Tennessee Williams' famed tale of hypocrisy and alienation.
Handsome Chance Wayne never found the Hollywood stardom he craved, but he's always been a star with the ladies. Now, back in his sleepy, sweaty Gulf Coast hometown, he's involved with the two of them: a washed-up, drug-and-vodka-addled movie queen, and the girl he left behind... and in trouble. Paul Newman, Rip Torn and Madeleine Sherwood recreate their stage roles and Ed Begley gives an Oscar-winning portrayal as the town's corrupt political boss in a bravura film version of Tennessee Williams' Broadway hit. Sex, money, hypocrisy, financial and emotional blackmail are familiar elements in Williams’ literary realm and combine powerfully in Sweet Bird of Youth as Chance (Newman) battles his private demons in a desperate bid to redeem his wasted life and recapture his lost sweet bird of youth.
Member Reviews
Solid Dialogue - Philip75
Solid dialogue and strong performances contribute to the successes of Sweet Bird of Youth. Tennessee Williams’ blistering commentary on politics and Hollywood does not disappoint, and Newman’s performance is sincere. Though reminiscent of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Sweet Bird of Youth flounders through its reliance on flashbacks to explain complex character relations. These flashbacks weaken the continuity of the film, almost segregating the characters and effectively dissolving on-screen chemistry. Despite these faults, this film still resonates with a strength not often found in films today.Part of an Era - eoguy
It's melodramatic to the point where scenes feel more like a Carol Burnett Show parody -- and believe me, Geraldine Page is definitely over the top, into Norma Desmond-land -- but the movie is enjoyably scenery-chewing. And I'm fond of late 50s/ early 60s melodrama in the Douglas Sirk vein. Beneath the artifice and glamor and social conventions is a snapshot of the era's fears, prejudices, biases and distortions. I never saw Page so young, didn't quite realize that she was so attractive and leading-lady-ish. And you can't take your eyes off her, in a sometimes surreal way. She veers from great to quasi-Desmond demented. Newman was still in his surly, swaggery, smirky, sexy faux Brando period -- very handsome and hard to like. Shirley Knight as the crushed but defiant daughter is nothing short of luminous, and Madeleine Sherwood was a treat as a party girl after only knowing her as the viper in Cat on the Hot Tin Roof. I'm glad we don't live in the 50s anymore, when repression was the norm - even the film watered down Tennessee's brutal elements -- but I like visiting the repressed, rebellious, overwrought, horny, angry histrionics of the period's glam-dramas from the major studios. This one isn't as good as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof or, obviously, Streetar Named Desire. But it has its choice moments, especially when Newman and Page are going at each other, like cats in a cage. Highly recommended.
Member Reviews
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Solid Dialogue - Philip75
Solid dialogue and strong performances contribute to the successes of Sweet Bird of Youth. Tennessee Williams’ blistering commentary on politics and Hollywood does not disappoint, and Newman’s performance is sincere. Though reminiscent of Cat on a Hot Tin ...Part of an Era - eoguy
It's melodramatic to the point where scenes feel more like a Carol Burnett Show parody -- and believe me, Geraldine Page is definitely over the top, into Norma Desmond-land -- but the movie is enjoyably scenery-chewing. And I'm fond of late 50s/ early 60s ...