Darling
Picture: C+ Sound: C Extras:
D Film: B
My first experience with
the films of John Schlesinger came with his brilliant debut film Billy Liar
(reviewed on this site) and his stylish and heart-pounding film Marathon Man
starring Dustin Hoffmann. Since then I’ve been able to see some of his other
films including the startling Midnight Cowboy, Day of the Locust,
and Sunday Bloody Sunday (also covered on this site). My appreciation
for this director increased just the same, but my true devotion to his work was
not at complete rest until I came across MGM’s recently released Darling (1965)
starring one of my favorite actresses of all time, Julie Christie. Schlesinger
had brought Christie to life in Billy Liar two years prior, but she owns
the screen in this film about a beautiful model that sleeps her way to the top
of the London fashion industry at the height of the sexual
revolution.
Darling also stars
Laurence Harvey and Dirk Bogarde, both talented actors in their own respect,
but Christie ignites the screen, which would surely establish her in Doctor
Zhivago (1965), Fahrenheit 451 (1966), and McCabe and Mrs. Miller
(1971). Her screen presence is astonishing and this role was quite fit for
her as a bitchy model, similar to the way she is off-screen from what I’ve
heard. Schlesinger’s ability as a director rests in the fact that he is able
to let the subject matter, regardless of what it is, always remain a potent
character. Some directors, or shall I say, lesser directors sometimes let the
subtext get away from them or have no clue what to do with it, but Schlesinger
holds on strong by the reigns and steers the material straight on.
Similar to MGM’s version
of Sunday Bloody Sunday the 1.66 X 1 transfer appears to be from an
older analog source, likely the one used for the Criterion LaserDisc. The
image still has some promise even after all these years and its biggest benefit
was being shot in black & white, which means that the grayscale holds up
better and is reproduced slightly better. Softness is the biggest setback,
while detail looks fine; there is still room for some improvement. Blacks look
ok, while whites tend to be not nearly as defined and come close to being too
blown out. The transfer also appears to be slightly closer to 1.77 X 1. The Dolby
Digital 2.0 Mono is nothing spectacular, but gets the job done.
The only extra here is a
trailer, which is a shame considering more commentaries from Schlesinger will
never come about since his passing in 2003. Luckily he was able to do a few
commentaries for DVD before his death. Darling is an intriguing tale
that will leave a lasting impression even if this DVD does not; worthy of
seeing at least once, if not owning, at some point in time.
- Nate Goss
