Out of Africa (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'Out of Africa' (directed by Sydney Pollack) was declared the Best Picture of 1985 at the Academy Awards. For me, that honor should have gone to Back to the Future; by a country mile. But as it is, I understand why 'Out of Africa' won, and it isn't a shameful choice. The film is based on the true story of Baroness Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep), and the years she spent in her beloved Africa. She lived & operated on a coffee plantation in colonial Kenya, beginning in 1913. Originally from Denmark, she arrived as a newly married woman to her good friend, Baron Bror Blixen (Klaus Maria Brandauer). She had the $$ that he wanted. He had the title (Baron) that she wanted. So the marriage was one of convenience.
Once settled in Kenya, she ran the coffee farm (which always seemed to be threatened by bankruptcy), divorced Bror after several infidelities on his part, & enjoyed a long-term love affair with an adventurer/hunter named Denys Finch Hatton (Robert Redford). Throughout the course of the 158 minute running time, Karen endures gut-wrenching disease, finance issues, troubles on the plantation, taking care of the natives, & World War I. But it is the trials of the heart which nearly do her in (concerning both Bror AND her star-crossed affair with Denys). By 1931, Karen Blixen returned to Denmark, and became a renowned author under the assumed name of Isak Denisen. This film is the story of her life and her #1 love ... Africa.
For me, this movie thrives because of 3 clearly defined components. 1) David Watkins' sweeping landscape cinematography is some of the best I've ever seen onscreen. Whether it is incredible aerial shots of when Denys takes Karen flying in his biplane, or watching herds of wildlife during a safari ... there's such power in every single visual. I was almost euphoric watching those scenes. But the film would be nothing without 2) John Barry's lush musical score - a score so glorious that you'll be humming its majestic theme in your head for days. And 3) the performances are exemplary.
Meryl Streep - inflecting what sounds to be a stellar Danish accent - has that innate ability to move us; whether in big moments or small. Robert Redford nails the kind of iconic romantic role that every leading lady requires. Much has been made about the subtly erotic scene when Denys washes Karen's hair. It's quietly sexy & significant because they hadn't yet acted upon their mutual urges. I wish there were more scenes like that. Too many times, their feelings come across somewhat muted & lacking passion. Klaus Maria Brandauer has the difficult task of making Bror as charming as he is loathsome. There's a reason why Karen stays friendly with him despite his humongous flaws. And the African actors are great, as well. I was moved by no less than 2 of their portrayals.
'Out of Africa' is a cinematic feast for the ears & eyes. Where the film is not as strong is with the actual story. There's nothing 'wrong' with it. The plot is basically about 2 characters, their love & their heartstring bond to Africa. Due to the exorbitant length of the film, its languid pacing, and a less-than-wow dramatic arc ... we rely upon all the other superior facets to carry us along the way (craftsmanship, acting). There just isn't quite enough depth & breadth of story to substantiate the sprawling epic quality of everything else. Again, I don't mean that to be a slam on the movie. It's just that the intimate nature of the characters & their interplay gets a bit lost over the course of the film's 160 minutes.
As mentioned, I get why 'Out of Africa' won Best Picture. It's big, beautiful, ponderous, & contains a superb cinematic pedigree. It just lacked a little warmth, a little something extra. I would have liked the Academy to spring for a truly genius piece of pop entertainment such as Back to the Future. The Color Purple & Witness would have been deserving, too. But I don't want to sell 'Out of Africa' short. It's an introspective film. It's an intelligent film. It's a gorgeous film. I really appreciated this poetic & understated movie about the strong-willed Karen Blixen & the place she loved.
Once settled in Kenya, she ran the coffee farm (which always seemed to be threatened by bankruptcy), divorced Bror after several infidelities on his part, & enjoyed a long-term love affair with an adventurer/hunter named Denys Finch Hatton (Robert Redford). Throughout the course of the 158 minute running time, Karen endures gut-wrenching disease, finance issues, troubles on the plantation, taking care of the natives, & World War I. But it is the trials of the heart which nearly do her in (concerning both Bror AND her star-crossed affair with Denys). By 1931, Karen Blixen returned to Denmark, and became a renowned author under the assumed name of Isak Denisen. This film is the story of her life and her #1 love ... Africa.
For me, this movie thrives because of 3 clearly defined components. 1) David Watkins' sweeping landscape cinematography is some of the best I've ever seen onscreen. Whether it is incredible aerial shots of when Denys takes Karen flying in his biplane, or watching herds of wildlife during a safari ... there's such power in every single visual. I was almost euphoric watching those scenes. But the film would be nothing without 2) John Barry's lush musical score - a score so glorious that you'll be humming its majestic theme in your head for days. And 3) the performances are exemplary.
Meryl Streep - inflecting what sounds to be a stellar Danish accent - has that innate ability to move us; whether in big moments or small. Robert Redford nails the kind of iconic romantic role that every leading lady requires. Much has been made about the subtly erotic scene when Denys washes Karen's hair. It's quietly sexy & significant because they hadn't yet acted upon their mutual urges. I wish there were more scenes like that. Too many times, their feelings come across somewhat muted & lacking passion. Klaus Maria Brandauer has the difficult task of making Bror as charming as he is loathsome. There's a reason why Karen stays friendly with him despite his humongous flaws. And the African actors are great, as well. I was moved by no less than 2 of their portrayals.
'Out of Africa' is a cinematic feast for the ears & eyes. Where the film is not as strong is with the actual story. There's nothing 'wrong' with it. The plot is basically about 2 characters, their love & their heartstring bond to Africa. Due to the exorbitant length of the film, its languid pacing, and a less-than-wow dramatic arc ... we rely upon all the other superior facets to carry us along the way (craftsmanship, acting). There just isn't quite enough depth & breadth of story to substantiate the sprawling epic quality of everything else. Again, I don't mean that to be a slam on the movie. It's just that the intimate nature of the characters & their interplay gets a bit lost over the course of the film's 160 minutes.
As mentioned, I get why 'Out of Africa' won Best Picture. It's big, beautiful, ponderous, & contains a superb cinematic pedigree. It just lacked a little warmth, a little something extra. I would have liked the Academy to spring for a truly genius piece of pop entertainment such as Back to the Future. The Color Purple & Witness would have been deserving, too. But I don't want to sell 'Out of Africa' short. It's an introspective film. It's an intelligent film. It's a gorgeous film. I really appreciated this poetic & understated movie about the strong-willed Karen Blixen & the place she loved.