|
 |
Butley
|
Sales Rank: 179955
Price: $35.98
|
|
|
I would have preferred to see this on stage. The performances are outstanding (especially by Alan Bates), and the dialogue is wonderful. But the film doesn't transcend its theater roots, and it makes for a very boring film. It isn't cinematic at all, and it's confined to one room for the entirety of the play. And it takes place in real time as well. Unfortunately, this happens quite often with plays are turned into films. But the play itself is still very good, and on that basis, I love it. Butley is having such a bad day, and a lot of it is his own fault, but you can't help but feel for this little pissant who's a drunk, a thief, a user of women and men, lazy, indifferent, callous, and everything. But Bates makes him deeply human, and the dialogue and performances are superb. Some have said the British accents are a bit thick, but I understood them pretty well. If you're looking for a good play, this is something you should rent. If you want a deeply cinematic experience, look elsewhere.
Viewer Reviews
I've always adored Alan Bates, British comedy, and yes, I love gay men. I had never even heard of "Butley", but looking through amazon.com, I saw "Butley" for sale. Sounded great! And great reviews, too. I was so disappointed. This film is about a posh school teacher (Bates), whose wife has left him for his old boyfriend. Sounds like the makings for a great Britcom, no? Well, no. It consists of usually no more than 2 people on screen at a time who verbally joust. They speak very quickly and try to be oh so clever with every sentence spoken. Problem is, not one sentence is funny. If you thought "Meet the Fockers" laid an egg by being not funny, "Butley" is even worse. Not only did I not laugh once, I had to eject it about 3/4 of the way thru. Why should I waste my time on a comedy that won't make me laugh? I gave it ample time. This is the worst type of Britcom...the dialogue is so contrived, it strains so hard, a kind of "we're so very funny because we say we're funny, but if you don't think we are, it's because you're just declasse, dearie". If you want to see a Britcom that will make you belly laugh thru the entire movie, I say go watch "Borat". Now there's a hilarious movie!
Back To Top
|
Butley
Available from Amazon
|
|
NOTICE: All product prices, availability, and specifications
are subject to verification by their respective retailers.
Copyright © 2009, Dominant Systems Corporation
info@HowlingVideo.com
Privacy Policy
Last Modified : 1-7-2009
|
