I don't think I have ever seen a movie quite as deliberately and aggressively depressing as "Under the Volcano." In fact, I can hardly even imagine a more unpleasant film. It should be required viewing at AA meetings, as the central character could almost be said to be the tequila and mescal that Geoffrey, the nominal lead, guzzles from beginning to end.
There is no plot to this movie. But there is Albert Finney, and that's just enough. It is a performance that saves "Under the Volcano" from director John Huston's almost sadistically morose tale. If there has ever been a better celluloid depiction of raging alcoholism, I haven't seen it. Finney is by turns funny, morbid, loving and spiteful. Did I mention that he drinks? Yes, he drinks. He drinks in bars, at home, at bullfights and even on carnival rides. His drinking isn't excessive, it's superhuman.
Joining Finney in Mexico is his estranged wife, Yvonne, played by Jacqueline Bisset. Hers is an even more incomprehensible character: bright, beautiful and seemingly sane, Yvonne returns to Mexico in hopes of salvaging a marriage that I for one can't believe ever took place. There is no chemistry between Finney and Bisset. The other principal character, Geoffrey's half-brother Hugh, has also just arrived in Mexico from Spain, where he claims to have fought in the civil war. He and Yvonne had an affair once, but it's clear that neither intends on rekindling it for fear of sending Geoffrey even further into besotted self-pity and self-loathing. Bisset and Anthony Andrews, who plays Hugh, are fine actors, but their characters are preposterous and superfluous. Geoffrey doesn't deserve either of their affection, and the harder they try, the harder he resists.
I am not a fan of the "feel good" movies of redemption that so often fill theaters these days. But "Under the Volcano" is the ultimate "feel bad" film. If not for Finney's truly amazing performance, I wouldn't recommend this film to friend or foe. But Finney takes one of the hoariest clichés in cinema and inhabits it convincingly, refreshingly, heart-breakingly. Because of him, you will not easily forget "Under the Volcano," however much you wish you could.
There is no plot to this movie. But there is Albert Finney, and that's just enough. It is a performance that saves "Under the Volcano" from director John Huston's almost sadistically morose tale. If there has ever been a better celluloid depiction of raging alcoholism, I haven't seen it. Finney is by turns funny, morbid, loving and spiteful. Did I mention that he drinks? Yes, he drinks. He drinks in bars, at home, at bullfights and even on carnival rides. His drinking isn't excessive, it's superhuman.
Joining Finney in Mexico is his estranged wife, Yvonne, played by Jacqueline Bisset. Hers is an even more incomprehensible character: bright, beautiful and seemingly sane, Yvonne returns to Mexico in hopes of salvaging a marriage that I for one can't believe ever took place. There is no chemistry between Finney and Bisset. The other principal character, Geoffrey's half-brother Hugh, has also just arrived in Mexico from Spain, where he claims to have fought in the civil war. He and Yvonne had an affair once, but it's clear that neither intends on rekindling it for fear of sending Geoffrey even further into besotted self-pity and self-loathing. Bisset and Anthony Andrews, who plays Hugh, are fine actors, but their characters are preposterous and superfluous. Geoffrey doesn't deserve either of their affection, and the harder they try, the harder he resists.
I am not a fan of the "feel good" movies of redemption that so often fill theaters these days. But "Under the Volcano" is the ultimate "feel bad" film. If not for Finney's truly amazing performance, I wouldn't recommend this film to friend or foe. But Finney takes one of the hoariest clichés in cinema and inhabits it convincingly, refreshingly, heart-breakingly. Because of him, you will not easily forget "Under the Volcano," however much you wish you could.