Word: paradoxical
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...FIRST PARADOX: Barry Lyndon, a story of an 18th century Irish gentleman-rogue, is the first novel of a great 19th century writer, William Makepeace Thackeray. It shows early signs of a genius that would nourish only after creative struggle and personal adversity. In time, this forgotten book becomes the basis for the tenth feature film by a well-established, well-rewarded 20th century artist-Director Stanley Kubrick. In it, he demonstrates the qualities that eluded Thackeray: singularity of vision, mature mastery of his medium, near-reckless courage in asserting through this work a claim not just to the distinction...
...SECOND PARADOX: As he did in 2001: A Space Odyssey, Kubrick relies not on words -he is as sparing of them as Thackeray is profligate-but images to tell his story. Yet Barry Lyndon lacks the experimental, hallucinatory visual quality that made 2001 a cultural touchstone of the tripped-out '60s. Kubrick has shot and edited Barry Lyndon with the classic economy and elegance associated with the best works of the silent cinema. The frantic trompe 1'oeil manner -all quick cuts and crazy angles-recently favored by ambitious film makers (and audiences) has been rigorously rejected...
...THIRD PARADOX: Barry Lyndon is obviously a costume drama but in a much more literal sense than any movie easily dismissed by that contemptuous phrase. Many of the clothes are not costumes at all but authentic antiques. The equally real interiors arid landscapes-every foot of the film was shot on location -are intended to function as something more than exotic delights for the eye. Close scrutiny of the settings reveals not only the character of the people who inhabit them but the spirit of the entire age as Kubrick understands...
This is a tinderbox of a play blazing with wit, paradox, parody and, yes, ideas. It is exhilaratingly, diabolically clever. The bloodline of Wilde and Shaw is not extinct while Tom Stoppard lives...
...painful massage that seems to have been developed during a subway rush hour. The purpose of these activities is to shut out the world, to listen to the wisdom of one's body Goodman finds that such pursuits are surprisingly effective-although success can be full of paradox. "Concentration is effortless effort, is not trying, " claims Tim Gallwey, a former follower of Guru Maharaj Ji and author of The Inner Game of Tennis. Goodman gives it a try and improves his serve...