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Awix (3310 KP) rated Barry Lyndon (1975) in Movies

Jun 27, 2018

Barry Lyndon (1975)

1975 | Drama, History, War

8.2

(9 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

Famously demanding costume drama/endurance challenge from Stanley Kubrick. Handsome but dimwitted Irish lad does his thinking with the wrong body parts, becomes fugitive from justice, soldier, duellist, deserter, gambler, and spy before marrying into money; his attempts to climb further up society's tree go badly wrong.

Sounds like a rollicking tale, but many will probably find the, erm, stately pace at which events unfold to be rather punishing; there's also the problem that Ryan O'Neal is basically just an absence of hiatus in the middle of the film - you never really care about Barry Lyndon himself. On the other hand, the film is stuffed with wonderful character cameos and subtly magical moments, and the appearance of the thing is utterly gorgeous. If you're prepared to treat the film essentially as a visual feast peppered with incidental pleasures such as Leonard Rossiter's dancing or the climactic duel, then you will probably find it rather mesmerising - as a conventional piece of entertainment, probably less so.

Kudos

David (771 KP) rated Lust (Lust, Money & Murder) Book #1 in Books

Jul 4, 2018 (Updated Jul 6, 2018)

Excellent addition to the espionage thriller genre

You share the feelings of the main characters like you're their friend in the book. This is a fast paced book and never a dull moment. You can tell Mike Wells did his research when it came to the main premise of the book which is the secret service and counterfeiting of currency. Plenty of twists and turns like any good spy thriller which keep you guessing and glad it all wasn't wrapped up in one book.
It makes a change that the espionage genre has a woman in the lead who is strong willed but still has some weaknesses which makes her more believable as a character.
I recommend you read this book even if you don't read this genre, it flows well and doesn't blind you with too much tech jargon which can put some people off. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.