A portrait of the turbulent 60s in Britain. It is interesting how norms have changed since then. There is much drinking and smoking in the film, including a scene where little children smoke--unimaginable to be shot now. On the other hand: the mouth-to-mouth kiss between the two men must have looked extremely shocking to the audiences then while today it would not be paid attention to. Lifestyles and norms change with times. The film is rather chaotic and this is something that I did not like about it. ( Maybe it is true to its time--the 60s were VERY chaotic as we all know). There are scenes with great subtlety and sensitivity and other unnecessary scenes which are banal and uninteresting and do not have anything to do with the plot. What I miss is the tragic perception of the characters' problems. The first half of the film feels like a comedy while in the second part it changes more and more into tragedy of loneliness and loss. This is somewhat confusing. I wish the film emphasized this loneliness and loss of the main two characters more. Of all the actors I liked Glenda Jackson most. She is a very good dramatic actress and it is because of her acting that these tragic tones are introduced in the film. Also she is a very beautiful woman with a typically English appearance. Peter Finch is less plausible and sometimes he acts in a comic way which I think is inappropriate. Also I did not like his last monologue turning towards the viewers--it spoils the magic of art. Actors should never notice the audience until the film finishes--this is what I mean. Also the title of the film has not been explained at all. Why is the Sunday bloody? I could not understand. And the whole story goes through the week, not only on Sunday. So, the title is misleading. I liked, however, the themes that this film presented: America as the land of promise for the young, aging and the reduction of the expectations you have in life, sexual promiscuity in these times that inevitably was leading to jealousy even though the characters pretend that they have overcome it ( which they haven't of course). All in all, an interesting film despite its flaws but definitely not a masterpiece!
Review of Sunday Bloody Sunday
