Thursday, August 08, 2019
The Group
- Commentary: Ah, yes! The Group! I did not see this film until years, decades, in fact, after it came out. I believe I first saw it on TCM while my mother and I were companions. I had read the book around the time when the movie came out. And loved it. I didn't relate to the time period but the writing and story telling were so good I didn't need to. I never forgot the passages about Dottie and her initial sexual adventure. When I finally saw the movie, I was delighted with how that was portrayed in the film. I also found Joan Hackett mesmerizing in the part, although I had, for a long time, been a fan of her work, mostly through her appearance in character roles on television.
The ensemble of actors in this movie is incredible. The story is an exceptionally thoughtful and thought provoking description of a particular period in the lives of privileged young women. The movie, itself, is so well done it is a miracle to watch. I've seen it twice since I bought it and it snatches me into it with every viewing. When it finishes, I'm ready to watch it again.
I've been trying for some years to obtain a copy of it but, although all the places that sell movies have had it advertised, it's also been unavailable. Recently it came back on the market. I'd been keeping my eye on its availability for some years and as soon as it was re-released, I snatched up a copy.
Watching it twice has made me hungry to read the book, again.
As a curious side note, searching for reviews of this movie was oddly frustrating, considering my interest in it. It seems, the movie attracted more attention overseas than it did in the U.S. The one review I could find, had access to and attached to the mention of the movie in the first paragraph seems to sum up, in short shrift, the U.S. reaction to it.
As a continuation to the above side note, TCM has a very interesting background review of the film, which I've linked to the title of this post. When the link comes up, click into the title of the review. For some reason, TCM won't let bloggers link directly into their articles.
Rewatched: 3/5-6/22 - I've decided to reread the novel by Mary McCarthy upon which this movie is based. I've been meaning to reread the novel since I obtained a copy of the movie, but hadn't yet gotten around to it. Then, today, I read (a first reading) the story upon which another one of my [RW]s is based and the process so illuminated my understanding of the movie that I decided I should proceed apace with rereading the novel upon which this movie is based. It'll probably take me a few, or more, days. Luckily, I have a copy of that novel. I'll report back when the deed is done.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Candice Bergen Elinor Eastlake Joan Hackett Dottie Renfrew Latham Elizabeth Hartman Priss Hartshorn Crockett Shirley Knight Polly Andrews Ridgeley Joanna Pettet Kay Strong Peterson Mary-Robin Redd Mary Prothero Beauchamp Jessica Walter Libby MacAusland Kathleen Widdoes Helena Davison James Broderick Dr. James Ridgeley James Congdon Sloan Crockett Larry Hagman Harald Peterson Hal Holbrook Gus Leroy Richard Mulligan Dick Brown Robert Emhardt Henry Andrews Carrie Nye Norine Blake Baruch Lumet Mr. Schneider
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1966
Directed by Sidney Lumet.
Labels: buddy, candice-bergen, coming-of-age1, drama3, historical1, joan-hackett, period1, popcorn-and-soda2, satire1, women's-movie1
