a visual smorgasbord

Rating: Null/10 (7 March 1999)

For any student serious in cinematography, Stanley Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon" should be required viewing. It is perhaps one of the most beautifully photographed films ever made. To most, the film appears slow, but it's impossible to not come away impressed with Kubrick's use of zoom and high speed wide angle Zeiss lenses. Keep in mind that this film premiered the same year as "Jaws". It was up against one of the most popular movies of all time. "Jaws" was a pop corn-saturday afternoon-I hope we can get tickets, retreat. "Barry Lyndon" required effort, patience, and an appreciation of beauty. It plodded, it slowed, it tantalized, it teased the eyes, it connected the senses much like a Beethoven movement, a Shakes- pearean phrase, or any Michealangelo sculpture. It's what would have happenned had Hieronymus Bosch ever dropped the paint brush and picked up an Arriflex camera. Forget O'Neill, Berenson the plot, and all the rest. Pretend you just may have some taste, put down the hot dog, and grab some culture. It may be the best few hours you'll spend before your annoying brother-in-law comes over to remind you the game starts in one hour........