This is a minimalist filmed version of a "Look Back in Anger" production originally directed for the stage by Judi Dench. It may also be Kenneth Branagh's finest screen performance. For a full two hours, Branagh is Jimmy Porter, the man you want to hate but can't help loving. He is one of the educated lower class, burdened by ego and unfulfilled potential. He is also an urban lion with a huge heart and treacherous claws.
5 Reviews
A MUST for Branagh fans and English drama fans
stancym-112 December 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Wow, I saw this a few days ago and it is still coming back to haunt me. I have a huge crush on Kenneth Branagh, so I admit I am not totally objective, but I really do think he shines here as Jimmy Porter. Raging at one moment, sad the next, at another time vulnerable in his need for a woman's love and acceptance and yet pushing any woman who loves him away. Branagh is truly a versatile actor.
Emma Thompson is equally brilliant as his wife, Alison, and Thompson was married to Branagh at the time this play was filmed. They play well off each other. The supporting cast also shines.
The interesting thing about the Jimmy Porter character is, he has external factors to combat in life, but he is his own worst enemy and does not take responsibility for HIS role in how things seem to be turning out. He blames; he does not see how changing his own attitude and behavior might make things better. He just wants to stay angry. I have known people like this. Even so, you can't hate him.
His love/hate relationship with women is something I have certainly witnessed in real life, and so the play "gets to me." There's also a good plot here and it is not predictable. That's another plus.
Language like this must have REALLY shook up audiences in the fifties! Anyway, I like this version better than the film with Richard Burton. It is less censored than the film version I think and more "raw."
Emma Thompson is equally brilliant as his wife, Alison, and Thompson was married to Branagh at the time this play was filmed. They play well off each other. The supporting cast also shines.
The interesting thing about the Jimmy Porter character is, he has external factors to combat in life, but he is his own worst enemy and does not take responsibility for HIS role in how things seem to be turning out. He blames; he does not see how changing his own attitude and behavior might make things better. He just wants to stay angry. I have known people like this. Even so, you can't hate him.
His love/hate relationship with women is something I have certainly witnessed in real life, and so the play "gets to me." There's also a good plot here and it is not predictable. That's another plus.
Language like this must have REALLY shook up audiences in the fifties! Anyway, I like this version better than the film with Richard Burton. It is less censored than the film version I think and more "raw."
A great movie as relevant today as when the play was written
CineMan-818 April 2000
"Look back in Anger" is one of the most celebrated plays of modern drama. It is rightfully regarded as a milestone in english theater. This movie does justice to it. Academy Award winner Judi Dench does a wonderful job directing this play. She gets a lot of help from a wonderful cast though. Kenneth Branagh is outstanding as Jimmy. He really brings the character to life. Emma Thompson also delivers an excellent performance as his long-suffering wife. Gerald Horan is equally impressive. A must for theater fans. It may seem too stagy to some, but still, nobody can deny it's importance.
I HATED this movie
bme20001 July 2015
Sooooo, I saw this movie thinking, oh, Judi Dench is directing it and Kenneth Brannagh and Emma Thompson play the leads, how can we go wrong? I don't know, let's just make it so ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENS. Brannagh is the only actor trying, Emma Thompson is completely wasted and the whole movie is a chore to watch. The whole movie takes place in one flat, which isn't a bad thing, but the whole movie is just boring. The only saving grace is Kenneth Brannagh, he gives a good performance, nothing Oscar winning, just solid enough to earn credit from me. So I can't fault him for that. At the end of the day, this is a movie that might not be THAT bad, but it's hard to watch as it's 2 hours of not much happening. Judi Dench, stick to acting, you're incredible at that.
1/5 Stars
1/5 Stars
Rather Disappointing
gavin694212 April 2017
A love triangle develops between a smart disaffected working-class husband Jimmy, his reserved upper-middle-class wife Alison and her arrogant best friend Helena.
Having not seen the play on stage or in any other film version, I cannot say if this was better or worse. But on its own merits, it was just not very enjoyable. Emma Thompson's talents are wasted, and Kenneth Branagh seems to be over-the-top constantly. I found it very hard to believe that such a character could exist, and it makes me doubt Branagh's reputation. This is screen, not stage... scale it back a bit.
The story as a whole is not all that interesting. Perhaps in the 1950s it was ground-breaking for its display of domestic life, but today (2017) it seems dull and I suspect that viewers in 1989 were not as thrilled as they could have been.
Having not seen the play on stage or in any other film version, I cannot say if this was better or worse. But on its own merits, it was just not very enjoyable. Emma Thompson's talents are wasted, and Kenneth Branagh seems to be over-the-top constantly. I found it very hard to believe that such a character could exist, and it makes me doubt Branagh's reputation. This is screen, not stage... scale it back a bit.
The story as a whole is not all that interesting. Perhaps in the 1950s it was ground-breaking for its display of domestic life, but today (2017) it seems dull and I suspect that viewers in 1989 were not as thrilled as they could have been.
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