A Delicate Balance (1973)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Tony Richardson

Writer:

Edward Albee (play)

Release Date:

April 1976 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The sister who drank too much. The daughter who divorced too much. They're all there when Tobias and Agnes have their little get-together and tear-apart.

Plot:

The setting is the comfortable Connecticut home of a well-to-do family. Agnes is a determined, powerful...

Plot Keywords:

Pulitzer Prize Source | Independent Film | Based On Play

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe.

Cast

Katharine Hepburn	...	Agnes
Paul Scofield	...	Tobias
Lee Remick	...	Julia
Kate Reid	...	Claire
Joseph Cotten	...	Harry
Betsy Blair	...	Edna

Also Known As:

Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance (Australia) (DVD box title)

Runtime:

133 min

Country:

USA | Canada | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Greece:K | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | USA:PG

Company:

Cinévision Ltée

Trivia:

This was the first (and only) time that Joseph Cotten and Katharine Hepburn appeared together since they starred in the original Broadway production of "The Philadelphia Story" in 1939.

Fierce Females, Gentle Men

Director Tony Richardson's presentation of "A Delicate Balance" could be dismissed for it's lack of edginess and it's gentrified (albeit screwed up) characters. It is also what critics would call a "stagy" film. Yet it is redeemed from this dour damnation because of Albee's wonderful way with words, the rich cinematography, and exceptional acting, exceptionally well cast: Katherine Hepburn, Paul Scofield, Lee Remick, Joseph Cotton.

For those looking for a violent film -- not in the form of bullets or explosions -- but of verbal surgical strikes, this is it. Edward Albee's dialogue provides all the female (yes, this would be considered a "woman's movie") protagonists and antagonists (one wonders at times which is which) a laser like aim against their primary targets: other women. And it is done under a guise of "civility"; sometimes, with a smile.

The stand-out among these veteran actors is Kate Reid, who plays Claire, the alcoholic in-law who at times gives the most voice to the story, set amid a dysfunctional Connecticut family. But even her performance can't out weigh the constant barrage of verbal cross-fire from her friends and in-laws. Yet the twist here is that the aggressors are the women, while the men attempt to keep the peace as best they can -- only firing back if attacked by the females.

This isn't a film for everyone; it's definitely the stuff of classic drawing room (psycho) drama. But for those who can appreciate consummate acting armed with deft dialogue, make yourself a nice cup of tea -- spiked with a shot or two of brandy -- and check this out.