Director Anthony Harvey brings together a solid cast of Katharine Hepburn and Sam Waterston to make a film adaptation of the play The Glass Menagerie in a hundred-minute story that would have best been left on stage. The movie of the same name screams "cliché" in every way possible, from the then-acceptable acting to the only background music played in the movie that was repeated umpteen times during "tense" moments. Although this movie received mostly positive reviews at the time (which I'm sure was cinematically state-of-the-art at the time), it reminds me why I prefer not to watch movies from any decade earlier than the 90's. In this day and age, this movie is nothing more than awkward and strange. There were little special effects and camera work that caught my eye, and other cinema elements such as the lighting left a lot to be desired. There was some imagery that stuck in my mind, such as the set outside of the front door of the Wingfield residence. Other than that, this movie did not satisfy many of my expectations. The only part of the movie that remotely interested me was the plot, and that wasn't even exclusive to the film. I'm sure seeing the story on stage would have been an even more engaging experience, and been more true to the original story. I almost want to say that I wish this movie hadn't been made, but Sam Waterston might just have this movie to thank for his acting career and his role in The Newsroom, and for that, I am thankful that this movie was made.
Review of The Glass Menagerie
