Long winded

Rating: 6/10 (9 June 2012)

I never had the opportunity to watch this movie when it came out in the theaters. I was about 13 at the time and it didn't really appealed to an adolescent. Now, in 2012, I felt it was a must-see classic, so I rented it. It still feels like a big budget production and the attention to detail is really good. Now it might be felt as unfair to qualify this movie as long winded from a 2012 perspective. But to me, Kubrik always seems long winded in all his movies. I'd rather watch a Ridley Scott movie anytime.
Yet this is not to say that Barry Lyndon is a bad movie, it's not. But I know I will never watch it again.
It's depressing and leaves you with a feeling of "What's the point?" Does it portray typical human tragedy and greed? yes. Does it portray the pointless urge for ambition, even if one cannot bring it beyond death? Yes.
But is there real need for a movie like that? I don't really know. I don't understand the passion that drove Kubrik to produce it, because the story leaves me cold. There's no hope in it.
Conclusion: Good movie? no. Bad movie? no. A landmark? Probably a must because it's a Kubrik.