Word: lifeness
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...leave feeling reassured or satisfied; Kubrick doesn't answer the questions he raises about society's right to curb individual freedoms when the individuals smash, batter and rape. Malcolm MacDowells's sympathetic portrayal of Alex, the sadistic and Beethoven-loving gang leader, knots the questions further. When conventional life becomes sanitized and pointless, who's to say violence is an improper response? Kubrick doesn't endorse nihilism, but he presents it as objectively as possible. Clockwork Orange is one of those rare intelligently directed movies that's got subtleties enough to last repeat viewings...
This is vintage Moliere, though a Moliere scholar once wrote that The Misanthrope is poorly named. Alceste does not hate mankind, goes this interpretation. Rather, he cannot resolve his romantic idealism with the realities of life. Accordingly, the play should be called The Romantic...
...supposed to be original. The characters are "blissful stereotypes all," the note says. The note's existence points to the major flaw in Sellon's directing: He is not secure enough to let the audience find things funny without prodding, and he doesn't understand that even stereotypes need life breathed into them. In addition, Sellon lacks technical skills as a director. Characters turn upstage for no apparent reason, or stare at the ceiling in obvious discomfort. Sellon chooses to have actors find their puns stupendously funny, depriving the audience of a chance...
...owner Maximillian Bucks (pun), the show needs $1 million or the big top will flop. To raise the money, Bucks calls upon Natalie Yellowbud, tightropist, singer and airhead extraordinaire, to star in an extravaganza in honor of President Woodrow Wilson. Meanwhile, Walter Wall (pun), decides he can't bear life at the stockmarket any longer. After embezzling $1 million, the stockbroker splits (pun) with his secretary and runs off to save the circus. Back at the top, Maureen Bad--"the second thinnest woman in the world" (recurring joke)--schemes and connives to burst Natalie's balloon and steal the show...
Writer Michael Temblay centers this play around a young French Canadian, Serge, and his long-standing incestuous love affair with sister Nicole. The real issues, though, are more commonplace: the emotional deadness of middle class life, the desparation of lonely housewives, the struggle to communicate across generations. Though they might sound trite, Tremblay energizes his themes with strong emotions and piercing dialogue...