Kubrick's Finest Film

Rating: 10/10 (7 December 1999)

As big a fan of Stanley Kubrick as I am, I can find something flawed in each of his films save Barry Lyndon. Where some see slow pacing and wooden characters, I see brilliant devices that Kubrick used in order to prevent the undermining of the purely sensory elements of this film. Visually, it is unparalleled to this day, even by such recent masterworks as The English Patient or other classics such as Lawrence of Arabia. The matching of the soundtrack to the action on film is so exquisite as to defy description, almost as if each frame of the the film is blended with each note of the music. The performances, while understated, are still excellent, including leads Ryan O'Neal (Whom I do not like in any other movie) and Marisa Berenson as Lady Lyndon (The courtship scene between these two is perfect). Also, some of the more minor characters are very well portrayed, such as Captain Potzdorf, Lord Bullington and the Chevalier.
This is quite simply Stanley Kubrick's finest film. Yes, it is a large investment of time. But if you choose to participate and let the film draw you in, those three hours are well spent. And while it is not a traditional action movie, if the last duel scene doesn't draw you in and captivate you, you need to check your pulse. It ranks right up there with the Dennis Hopper/Christopher Walken scene in True Romance as one of the greatest single scenes in the history of cinema. Do not let the few outspoken critics of this movie sway your opinion and cause you to miss out on the pure beauty of this film, see it.