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Genres:
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Comedy /
Drama
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Release:
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Director:
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Joseph Losey
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Actors:
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Kate Nelligan,
Glenda Jackson,
Helmut Berger,
Reinhard Kolldehoff,
Julie Peasgood,
Frances Tomelty,
Béatrice Romand,
Anna Steele,
Marcus Richardson,
Frankie Jordan,
Tom Chatto,
Lillias Walker,
Michael Caine,
Michael Lonsdale,
Nathalie Delon
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Duration:
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108 min.
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Rating:
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(6.4/10)118.5
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Plot Summary:
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What is real and what is fiction? Faced with pen-pusher's bar with his novella, Lewis Fielding turns to a film script in the matter of a woman declaration herself after his missus Elizabeth returns from Baden Baden. She didn't undoubtedly pronounce herself there but had a passing encounter in a liberate with a German who says he is a poetess. With it the German is in England, gets himself invited to tea where he claims he admires Fielding's books. Which united does he like the outwit? "Tom Jones." Amused at being put off with the other Fielding, the novelist works the German into the plot.
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Tags:
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Watchable.
Joseph Losey did some marvellous work, but this long rambling piece was not amongst his best. It's watchable though, because of its intriguing secretive winding Stoppardish script and the charismatic acting of the young Glenda Jackson and the charismatic posturing of the handsome young Helmut Berger. (Young Michael Caine is unfortunately largely wooden in his role.) But at the end of the day this film is no great shakes, and it has no powerful message or effect. It's merely a somewhat interesting yarn . . . and for me, a disappointment.
How the rich used to live
This is a throwback to films of an earlier era. Interesting to see Glenda Jackson before she became a left wing parliamentarian playing a wife who has everything seeking more out of life. Michael Caine plays a jealous husband much the same as he always does. Even in those days it is puzzling to think that the novelist he plays could have amassed so many of the trappings of wealth. Similarly one wonders how Helmut Berger who catches Jackson's attention in Baden Baden living dishonestly off his wits, partly from drugs and partly as a gigolo, could have been able to afford such expensive and well cut clothes. Glamorous locations make this a pretty film to watch even if credibility is stretched.
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