MovieChat Forums > Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) Discussion > I don't get it!

I don't get it!

posted 14 years ago by edunn91
90 replies | jump to latest

I like older movies and I'm not a dumb action movie guy, but I really don't get why this movie is so revered. Its over 2 hours of drinking, screaming and over the top acting about there sad and depressing lives. I could barely sit thru it. I think Richard Burton was a standout in this movie and probably deserved the oscar, but I have never liked Liz Taylor in anything and I think she is the most overrated actress in history.

I think the 60's was an awkward decade for hollywood anyway. With the golden age of big studios and legendary actors fading away and the crumbling of censorship there was a transition period as to which direction to go. There was also the strong influence of more arty and raw independent/foreign movies that was tugging at them as well, and for me it wasn't until the early 70's until it all came together. The 40's and 70's were the best decades for Hollywood. What do you think?

[–] DavidTL 14 years ago

I'm the opposite, but the weird thing is I know EXACTLY what you mean, really I do and I know how you feel.
But for me it felt like a look on actual people's lives, and it's good (and bad at the same time) to know that people can argue like this (obviously, haha).
It is based on the play and is practically a filmed version, but it's kind of like a documentary and it reflects what couples are like and can be like with the simple bickering which would lead into an arguement.

[–] robertjmr72 14 years ago

Despite reading alot of comments here and reading the wiki's for the movie and the play I still do not understand what this movie is about. I'm not saying that it isn't good, maybe it is, and perhaps if I could grasp the purpose of the movie I might like it but as it stands it seems to be about 2 crazy people upset over the death of a son that never existed????? Did I miss something?

[–] violinprincess32 14 years ago

No; they made up the son. Facing the truth that he never existed was extremely painful for both George and Martha.

Ave atque vale

[–] tj19 14 years ago

I agree with the OP. The movie and Taylor are overrated.
Wasn't a bad movie though, just not THAT great.

[–] New_Wind 14 years ago

This movie can be appreciated only if you here the dialogues very clearly. May be worth turning subtitles on. One of the greatest screenplay ever written.

[–] FilmArts 13 years ago

Agreed. I'm surprised to see that fans of this movie aren't justifying the film by its incredible use of allegory. This entire film is about the Christian struggle and failure.

[–] itchyfriend9 14 years ago

Ugh, I hate the early '70s. Everything had irritating, folksy soundtracks and ugly, muted cinematography. It's also my least favorite period for pop music, too. The '60s, on the other hand, were one of the best periods for Hollywood, and Virginia Woolf is one of my favorite movies. So, yeah, can't say I agree with you.

[–] mattco123 14 years ago

I liked this movie as a concept, and i can definitely handle a movie focused more on dialogue and JUST dynamics between characters... (and I thought Lyz Taylor was briliant). The only thing that got on my nerves after a while is that it was too damn long! haha. I was waiting for it to be over after an hour and half.

[–] bworm76 13 years ago

So agree. I love classic film and went in with an open mind and was terribly disappointed. I agree with you about Elizabeth Taylor being terribly overrated as an actress, but she was gritty in this. Burton was as tortured a soul as she so the acting isn't my complaint. I get that it's supposed to make the viewer uncomfortable but I found myself bored in addition to being uncomfortable. They were both such horrible people that I couldn't dredge up any sympathy for them.

[–] hockeygirl 13 years ago

I just watched this on TMC tonight and that is it exactly bworm76. I thought they were all such horrible people (except Sandy Dennis who I felt was almost pathetic), that I had zero sympathy. I truly could not care less if they stayed together, got divorced, or took each other out. As for Elizabeth Taylor, she is very over the top with her acting, which is why I love to watch her movies. Raintree County is one of my favorites, she is fabulous at playing a crazy person!

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] generalusgrant 13 years ago

I'm shocked at the amount of vitriol dumped upon this wonderful movie. I can only assume most of those spewing the invective are teenagers who have no appreciation of brilliant acting and direction.

I've never been a fan of Taylor's acting and find her hideously overrated in most of her movies. But her Martha is absolutely tour de force. And Burton was invariably the most hammy and histrionic actor EVER was perfect as George. One of the great screeen performances of the past half century.

There are weaknesses, sure. It should have been 20 minutes shorter, the scene between George and Nick under the tree goes on too long, and the roadhouse scene was also overly long.

But the screenplay and acting were utterly flawless. An enjoyable film to watch? Hell no. But a great film? You bet.

[–] douglas-soesbe 13 years ago

The film is about the importance of giving up illusion in order to live a more truthful life. The imagined son must be "killed" in order for George and Martha to face the truth of their lives. The Virginia Woolf reference is to the real life Woolf's long and finally tragic battle with depression, ending in suicide. In other words, who's afraid of madness and death as the end to a troubled life? "I am, George, I am," Martha says, in her final moment, accepting the fear and vulnerability that causes her to act out so defensively.

[–] akorna 13 years ago

There's always two sides to every intelligent person's life. One side's happy cause they're intelligent and successful. The other side is sad and depressing because they're not as intelligent and successful as they hoped. The film shows the two sides perfectly, it is actually a very exciting and hilarious adventure. You are otherwise pretty intelligent person, just not enough intelligent to understand the movie. And that's what the movie's about ;)

[–] superstu86 13 years ago

douglas-soesbe you nailed it on the head for me. I have just finished watching this. A very powerful film and Elizabeth Taylor I think is at her best. I actually thought this is a parallel to what the Director Mike Leigh had done back in the 70s with a play called 'Abigail's Party'. I totally understand now where the 'Virginia Woolf' bit comes into it, and right at the end, Martha says when George asks " Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf?" Martha: "I am George".
She is afraid of the unknown loneliness and even madness, where suicide seems the only option.