OxBlog

Friday, January 05, 2007

# Posted 4:00 PM by Taylor Owen  

THE HISTORY BOYS: Check out Sullivan’s review of The History Boys. I agree that it was a wonderful movie, albeit from a somewhat more removed perspective than Andrew. I particularly liked how it kept elements of its theatrical origins. In many instances, you felt like you were watching a play. I do agree with the sentiment in his follow up post that the movie was a bit fatalistic on the prospects of gay adulthood, however it undoubtedly captures what I am sure is the inner torment of growing up as a gay teenager, particularly 20 years ago. It also did so in a way that was completely free of the dichotomizing, over sentimentalizing, and melodrama that invariably accompany treatments of the topic. Instead, various perspectives on growing up gay were only one quite natural part of an all-round great movie.

I should also note a feeling that the movie demonstrated very clear distinctions between British and North American sensibilities. Not in a pejorative way in either direction mind you. Just profoundly different. Did anyone else feel the same way?

(2) opinions -- Add your opinion

Comments:
A North American film certainly would not have included about five minutes of French dialogue, with no subtitles.

I enjoyed the film quite a bit.
 
"I particularly liked how it kept elements of its theatrical origins. In many instances, you felt like you were watching a play."

Translation: a complete inability to adapt the film cinematically. It's the boring ol' "point-and-shoot" technique of the 1940s that have ruined so many wonderful plays.

If they really want a cinematic record of the play, why don't they just film a live performance of the play?
 
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