Tom Jones (B+ or 3/4 stars)
'Tom Jones' (directed by Tony Richardson) is a 4-time Academy Award-winning historical costume drama which traipses through 18th century Somerset & London. The movie follows the many adventures of titular Tom Jones (Albert Finney), and begins when the Squire Allworthy (George Devine) returns to his stately manor house to find a baby boy abandoned in his bed and, accuses the lowly maid Jenny Jones (Joyce Redman) of being the babe's unwed mom. This, of course, results in her dismissal, the squire naming the bastard baby Tom Jones, & then raising him alongside his legitimate heir, cold-hearted Blifil (David Warner). The country boy grows up to be quite a wild chap with a ravenous taste for pretty women, good food, & wild escapades.
The typically kind, good-natured, yet sexy Tom falls madly in love with Sophie Western (Susannah York), the sweet daughter of a neighboring squire (Hugh Griffith). That said, she is betrothed to Blifil instead, due to Tom's unfortunate bastard status in life -- marriage is out of the question. And so, Tom then falls into shame & scandal because of his lustful adventures with local trollop, Molly (Diane Cilento). His naughty behavior causes him to be sent away from his adopted family & the only woman he truly loves, Sophie. But Tom refuses to learn from his mistakes and, continues on his sinful path; getting into trouble when he falls-in with a gaggle of good-for-nothing scoundrels. This leads to more licentious acts, some sword fights, & even a stint in jail, as Blifil, his jealous rival for the love of Sophie, has him framed for theft. Tom will have to rely on his charms to save him from the gallows.
I suppose I can see why audiences, critics & the Academy took to this film back in the day. But honestly, while I highly enjoyed stretches of this movie, appreciated the myriad of fun performances, & admire the craft that went into making it, 'Tom Jones' just didn't rivet me enough to put it into the upper echelon of movies for the year 1963; not when classics like Jason & the Argonauts, The Sword in the Stone, Hud, The Great Escape, Cleopatra, Lilies of the Field, Bye Bye Birdie, & countless others were right there to entertain and/or move me, greatly. Perhaps it is the script which underwhelmed me, too. It is parsed down from a 1,000 page novel, where much is left from the story, but copious humor is added in; the film feels too flippant.
I enjoyed Albert Finney as the handsome rascal; easy to see why blew up as a big star after this movie. Susannah York is lovely, as always. Hugh Griffith is a delight. David Warner is entertainingly nefarious. And this trio ALL made the Best Supporting Actress line-up at the Oscars: Diane Cilento {my personal fave}, Edith Evans {as Miss Western}, & Joyce Redman {as Tom's possible mother}. I find no fault in the performances; all of which achieved the tone that director Tony Richardson set from the beginning. I loved the lush photography of England's countryside. I admire the period designs & John Addison's music. Good film. But what must've seemed fresh, edgy & funny then is kind of lost on me seeing it in the 21st century.
The typically kind, good-natured, yet sexy Tom falls madly in love with Sophie Western (Susannah York), the sweet daughter of a neighboring squire (Hugh Griffith). That said, she is betrothed to Blifil instead, due to Tom's unfortunate bastard status in life -- marriage is out of the question. And so, Tom then falls into shame & scandal because of his lustful adventures with local trollop, Molly (Diane Cilento). His naughty behavior causes him to be sent away from his adopted family & the only woman he truly loves, Sophie. But Tom refuses to learn from his mistakes and, continues on his sinful path; getting into trouble when he falls-in with a gaggle of good-for-nothing scoundrels. This leads to more licentious acts, some sword fights, & even a stint in jail, as Blifil, his jealous rival for the love of Sophie, has him framed for theft. Tom will have to rely on his charms to save him from the gallows.
I suppose I can see why audiences, critics & the Academy took to this film back in the day. But honestly, while I highly enjoyed stretches of this movie, appreciated the myriad of fun performances, & admire the craft that went into making it, 'Tom Jones' just didn't rivet me enough to put it into the upper echelon of movies for the year 1963; not when classics like Jason & the Argonauts, The Sword in the Stone, Hud, The Great Escape, Cleopatra, Lilies of the Field, Bye Bye Birdie, & countless others were right there to entertain and/or move me, greatly. Perhaps it is the script which underwhelmed me, too. It is parsed down from a 1,000 page novel, where much is left from the story, but copious humor is added in; the film feels too flippant.
I enjoyed Albert Finney as the handsome rascal; easy to see why blew up as a big star after this movie. Susannah York is lovely, as always. Hugh Griffith is a delight. David Warner is entertainingly nefarious. And this trio ALL made the Best Supporting Actress line-up at the Oscars: Diane Cilento {my personal fave}, Edith Evans {as Miss Western}, & Joyce Redman {as Tom's possible mother}. I find no fault in the performances; all of which achieved the tone that director Tony Richardson set from the beginning. I loved the lush photography of England's countryside. I admire the period designs & John Addison's music. Good film. But what must've seemed fresh, edgy & funny then is kind of lost on me seeing it in the 21st century.