Directed by Richard Brooks
Screenplay by Richard Brooks and James Poe
Based on the play by Tennessee Williams
Stars: Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, Burl Ives, Judith Iverson, Jack Carson, Madeleine Sherwood, Larry Gates and Vaughn Taylor
Everyone knows that the movie is a watered down version of the stage play. The story is gay. The movie is very undercover gay.
Brick (Newman) is an ex-football player who spends his days and nights drinking. His wife, Maggie (Taylor) is frustrated with Brick being cold to her. Brick's family gathers together to celebrate Big Daddy's (Ives) birthday.
In the opening moments of the film, I was thinking, "Is this it? Brick's gonna take multiple sips of whiskey. Maggie opining about not getting any affection from Brick. Big Daddy being a curmudgeon. The kids are going to be annoying the hell of me." I did not like the beginning of the movie.
The movie picks up when nature of Brick's drinking and Big Daddy's plight is revealed. Newman, Taylor and Ives gave great performances here. I could not stand Mae (Sherwood). It felt as the women were shrilling harpies, the men telling them to shut up, the children being annoying, but I guess the annoyances build up the tension.
Rating: 8/10
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