William M
This is a masterpiece which united the best actors, director, screenwriter cinematography, and the most beautiful post-Garbo brunette in the world. It repelled the critics of the day because they are neither Christians (Burton's Hewitt) nor Rousseau-istic, "back to nature" types (Taylor's Reynolds), and this is the most even-handed, eloquent, witty rendering of Christian morality vs. Rousseau-istic deism/atheism Hollywood ever attempted, now that Covid has finally killed the movies. The pretty, Oscar-winning (?) song, suitably sung by male chorus, is just a footnote to the brilliant melancholy of the persistently tragic NON-soapy plot, yet comic relief is there for those "happy few" able to detect it. Minelli's directing is unimprovable. Yeah, yeah, the real hero is the Big Sur scenery, but what a "supporting" cast! Right up there with that of "Grand Hotel" and yes, "Mildred Pierce," the enigma of spoiled daughters. The Sandpiper characters ALL elicit sympathy from us (the sign of a great drama), they all learn something, but lose "everything": Danny loses a father, Hewitt, he's probably never going to have; Laura loses her great love; Hewitt loses both that and his career and high salary; Claire Hewitt loses her ideal faithful marriage; Ward Hendricks (well played by one Webber), divorced but saddled with his kids, is shunned by the Laura whom he perceives as his great love (his proposal only earns him a death threat). The film could've been named "Original Sin In Action"! Yet everyone is young, or youngish, so it ends on a note of hope and peace with oneself. OR with God.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/18/25
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Average P
Love this film, written by Dalton Trumbo. Burton and Taylor at their most mesmeric.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
05/23/24
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Julie B
Slow start, but soon entertained by ET's beauty, the 60s Big Sur art colony lifestyle, and the story itself. I'm in my 60s, so can relate to a lot of what's said, the responses, the outcome .... Perfect song - Oscar winner and a Grammy for the composer's score. TCM included an extra clip explaining the special statue commissioned for the film - interesting.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
05/01/24
Full Review
The Few T
I watched this movie a few years ago, and I thought the plot, along with the cinematography very engaging.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the character development, and the way in which the two protagonists ( Taylor and Burton ) found both a common ground, and a mutual respect.
I also especially enjoyed how this movie showcases the incredible beauty of Big Sur, to which I have had the very great pleasure of both visiting on numerous occasions, as well as living there for an all-too-brief period of time.
It is one of those movies that stays with you for a very long time.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/17/24
Full Review
Red T
It's barely ok. The main issue is the pacing isn't that good because the music is used so much in this and it isn't that good either. It's very slow, boring, elevator type music that puts you to sleep more than anything else. Everything else is just average as well. Taylor is decent and the best thing in this but Burton is just ok and comes across as wooden and only having average chemistry with Taylor honestly. The shots are well framed and the settings are nice but nothing engaging is really going on in most of the scenes besides talking and the dialogue/chemistry isn't strong enough to carry the scenes. The second half does get better when there is more conflict and everyone has a character arc by the end. The problem is just how slow and tedious it is to get there mainly by the tiring soundtrack. This has underlying commentary about society expectations put on different people and whether it is society or ourselves that put those expectations on us and when we don't let that hold us back we can be free but it gets weighed down. The other big issue is the child who the plot starts with is kind of forgotten about for most of the movie and is just ok and kind of a throwaway. It would've been nicer also to see more conflict with the other lovers and Burton/Taylor. Really also besides the soundtrack, Burton is what holds this back also from being anything noteworthy as well. He just doesn't have any chemistry with anyone, except Taylor and even than its nothing electrifying. Anyone who is a die hard fan of BOTH Taylor & Burton I could see liking this, but everyone else should skip this footnote movie.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
07/24/23
Full Review
kevin r
I see all the negative reviews, and I think there is a depth this film has that others don't recognize. First of all, I love the acting of Taylor, Burton, Saint, and also Morgan Mason who played Danny Reynolds - Laura Reynolds' 9 year old son. All of these people played their roles with sincerity. I especially liked the way the mother and son relationship grew on screen - I mean, Danny says, toward the end, that he wants to go back to school, and that "you can't live with your mother all your life."
Then look at the relationship between Taylor and Burton's characters. First, we learn that even an Episcopal priest, like any clergy person (disclaimer: I am a long-time Episcopal Church organist/choirmaster born in the same year as this film - 1965), is very human just like the rest of us. Second, they explore long-term relationships. I sense sadness at the break-up of the Hewitt marriage, but along the way, different issues are explored. As a long-time, and happily married person, I can understand the issues now better than ever. You just have to think about the story for awhile.
So here's a story that involves things I like: The California coast, my wife, and music in the Episcopal Church (Oh how I would have loved to be an organist at the Queen's funeral! Unfortunately, I don't play as much anymore as I make much better money as an engineer [I enjoy that too - and fortunately there are a lot of parallels between electrical engineering and music]).
Finally, the scenery! Wow! I must say the cinematography is the next best thing to being there. I love the performance of "The Shadow of your Smile" at the opening credits and the scenes of the Bixby Bridge. It is sort of a longing.
I think much of this is colored by the fact that it is our 22nd anniversary this week, and we are driving up to Big Sur. I told my wife she is Elizabeth Taylor and I am Richard Burton. We will be there for only a night. Oh how I would love to live in that Beach House that Laura Reynolds lived in!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
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