While going through the DVDs at BIG LOTS, I found a copy of WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? For a couple of bucks, I couldn’t resist buying it. I hadn’t watched WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? since the 1980s when I had a VHS tape of it. Rewatching the movie made me realize how great Elizabeth Taylor’s performance was. Richard Burton’s performance as an associate professor in a marriage filled with secrets and games is sensational, too. George Segal plays an ambitious biology professor whose wife, Sandy Dennis, has plenty of secrets of her own. Mike Nichols shot the movie in black & white, resisting pressures to shoot the movie in color. The starkness of b&w makes the film even more powerful. If you haven’t seen WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? in a while, it’s a film with scintillating performances.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
1. Mike Nichols and Steven Soderbergh: Commentary
2. Cinematographer Haskell Wexler: Commentary
George, I have been curious about the play though I have never read it. I’d like to watch the movie for the (assumed) chemistry between Taylor and Burton. They seemed to click together, like they did in THE V.I.Ps in which their marriage is on the verge of a breakdown.
Prashant, the “chemistry” between Taylor and Burton in WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (to mix metaphors) is more like a nuclear war. Powerful performances!
It is a really terrific movie and manages to ‘open it out’ pretty successfully too – decades ago I saw Diana Rigg and David Suchet in a West End production that still worked very well.
Sergio, Wow! I would have loved to see Diana Rigg and David Suchet do WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? They are two of my favorite actors!
While I think it’s damn fine acting, it’s also like being a visitor at the home of a nasty drunk, which I guess George and Sandy’s characters were. A movie that can be admired but not enjoyed, in my book.
Bob, Diane has the very same opinion of WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? When I invited Diane to watch the DVD with me, she replied, “Once was enough.”
A great movie (and play, of course), but not a very welcoming one. I’d say once a decade is about right for viewing. Incidentally, I believe Taylor was in her early thirties when she made this–what a transformation! (Although I’ve always loved the moment when she appears in her “Sunday go to chapel dress”!)
Deb, when I first saw WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? and Elizabeth Taylor walked into the room in her “Sunday Go To Chapel” dress I was completely knocked out! A great cinematic moment!
Believe it or not, we went to see VIRGINIA WOOLF on our first date! That was January 14, 1967. And despite the example we are still together.
Jeff, Diane and I went to see LOOKING FOR MISTER GOOD-BAR on our first date! It was such a buzz kill we immediately went to a nearby theater and saw THE GOOD-BYE GIRL. A much better vibe!
I’d agree with “once is enough” on this one. Fine performances.
Rick, you and Diane share the same opinion of WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
Love the movie and I have also seen it performed as a play twice. Always dynamic.
Patti, dynamic is right! Taylor and Burton are like watching nitroglycerin explode!
We’ve seen the play too.
Jeff, I’ve never seen the play version of WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? but I have read the play. I have a couple paperback copies of it.
Linda and I saw Rain Man. Had I but known about the Smirking Dwarf’s connection to Hubbardism I would have taken her somewhere else. Anywhere else.
Bob, RAIN MAN on a first date has some risks.
Trip down memory lane:
First date (as “just friends”): Rented videos: Spinal Tap, Paris Texas, and a Robin Williams Stand-up.
First date (as “a couple”): The Stepfather.
First date (after deciding to get engaged): Swimming to Cambodia.
Deb, that’s a very eclectic group of movies!
Deb, that’s some list!
On another early date we went to see a revival of LARENCE OF ARABIA. The only problem was, the screening started at 11 pm! I think I slept through a lot of it.
As for the downer factor, our worst ever was on New Year’s Eve of 1983. We went to see a matinee on Broadway of Marsha Norman’s ‘NIGHT, MOTHER. If you have ever seen this you will understand what I mean when I say it was so depressing that when we came out we knew not to go right home and instead went to the Beekman for a screening of THE RIGHT STUFF. Much better.
Jeff, obviously you and Jackie have the Right Stuff!