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Julie Christie's miracle year of 1965 (she was also in Doctor Zhivago) was capped by a best-actress Oscar® for this sardonic take on Swinging London. Looking about as gorgeous as women get, Christie ascends the ladder of social success, trampling everybody in her path--an ascent that allows writer Frederic Raphael and director John Schlesinger to slash away at the morally bankrupt world that would enable such a person to triumph. Cynics might suggest that Schlesinger's approach, rife with the experiments of New Wave filmmaking, is nearly as empty and showy as the world it describes... which may be why this movie seems more dated than, say, Richard Lester's films from the '60s. Still, with Christie getting generous and suave support from two of the top British stars of the day, Dirk Bogarde and Laurence Harvey, Darling remains a watchable missive from a volatile era. --Robert Horton
Product Description
Julie Christie turns in an astonishing, OscarÂ(r)-winning* performance in this "sensitive and stunning tale" (Cue) about wanting it alland getting exactly what you wish for. Directed by John Schlesinger from an OscarÂ(r)-winning* screenplay by Frederic Raphael, Darling is "a slashing social satire loaded with startling expositions and lacerating wit" (The New York Times). Ambitious model Diana Scott (Christie) uses her relationships to turn a low-rent career into a high-gear smorgasbord of jet-setting, love-making and the pursuit of hedonistic happiness. But as she moves from one fiery tryst with a TV writer (Dirk Bogarde) to another with a suave playboy (Laurence Harvey) and yet another with a crown prince, she finds that happiness is the one thing that may elude her forever. *1965: Actress (Christie), Original Screenplay, Costume Design
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This 1965 multi-award winning film is a riveting portrait of a woman who deviously claws her way to the top, in search of "happiness and completion". Julie Christe won an Oscar for her portrayal of Diana Scott, and manages to make this "trivial and shallow" woman interesting.
Frederick Raphael, who also won an Oscar for his work, wrote a story and script that is the basis of what makes this a riveting film to watch. Every scene makes sense, and every phrase has a purpose; there is not a single word that does not belong, or is unnecessary.
It is wonderfully photographed in a very crisp black and white by Ken Higgins, and has an unobtrusive but lovely score by John Dankworth.
Frederick Raphael, who also won an Oscar for his work, wrote a story and script that is the basis of what makes this a riveting film to watch. Every scene makes sense, and every phrase has a purpose; there is not a single word that does not belong, or is unnecessary.
It is wonderfully photographed in a very crisp black and white by Ken Higgins, and has an unobtrusive but lovely score by John Dankworth.
Director John Schlesinger brings out the best in even the bit players, and most of all, from Dirk Bogarde, who gives a heartbreaking, brilliant performance as one of Diana's stepping stones. Laurence Harvey plays a vain and vile character with the snakelike coldness he is so good at, and of course, Christie is in her prime, and her beauty and talent shine bright.
Though the atmoshpere of the film is caught in the '60s, the story and characters are timeless; this film deserves to be viewed, for its tremendous performances, and as a portrait of how times change, but much of humanity stays the same, and selfish desires, even when satisfied, are but clanging brass.
38 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Winner of the 1965 Oscar for Best Actress, the beautiful and pouty lipped Julie Christie gives a glowing performance as an amoral cover girl, Diana Scott, in the swinging '60s in London.
Diana, who is married, is having an affair with a married television correspondent, Robert Gold, played to perfection by the sexy and world weary, Dirk Bogarde. Eventually, they leave their respective mates and set up house together in swinging London. All is not hunky dory for long, as Julie goes on to have an affair with her agent, Miles, divinely played by Laurence Harvey. When Robert discovers her lies and infidelity, he leaves her.
Diana goes on to party hearty, and she ultimately meets a wealthy and widowed, Italian prince while on location in Italy shooting a commercial. After a perfunctory meeting, she meets up with him again, and he proposes. She thinks about his proposal, and ultimately consents to becoming Princess Diana.
Only after marrying him, a virtual stranger to her, does she realize how lonely she is. She finds herself being left in their palazzo with his seven children, while the prince is away, ostensibly visiting his mother without her. She realizes that she is living in a gilded cage, no more than a trophy wife.
She impulsively contacts Robert and flies to England to meet with him. After they make love, she realizes how much she loved him, and declares her feelings for him, only to be rebuffed. He then sends her packing, back to her empty life in Italy. Yet, he does so at great emotional cost to himself, as well.
This film is very representative of the swinging sixties and conveys a real sense of the joie de vivre of the period. It deals with subjects that were formerly taboo. There are subtle and sly references to homosexuality. Abortion and a woman's sexuality are issues in the film and dealt with in a way with which these issues were not ordinarily dealt. While it may seem tame by today's standards, this was very cutting edge in its time, and reflective of some of the changes which society, as a whole, was undergoing. This movie is definitely an oldie but a goodie.
Diana, who is married, is having an affair with a married television correspondent, Robert Gold, played to perfection by the sexy and world weary, Dirk Bogarde. Eventually, they leave their respective mates and set up house together in swinging London. All is not hunky dory for long, as Julie goes on to have an affair with her agent, Miles, divinely played by Laurence Harvey. When Robert discovers her lies and infidelity, he leaves her.
Diana goes on to party hearty, and she ultimately meets a wealthy and widowed, Italian prince while on location in Italy shooting a commercial. After a perfunctory meeting, she meets up with him again, and he proposes. She thinks about his proposal, and ultimately consents to becoming Princess Diana.
Only after marrying him, a virtual stranger to her, does she realize how lonely she is. She finds herself being left in their palazzo with his seven children, while the prince is away, ostensibly visiting his mother without her. She realizes that she is living in a gilded cage, no more than a trophy wife.
She impulsively contacts Robert and flies to England to meet with him. After they make love, she realizes how much she loved him, and declares her feelings for him, only to be rebuffed. He then sends her packing, back to her empty life in Italy. Yet, he does so at great emotional cost to himself, as well.
This film is very representative of the swinging sixties and conveys a real sense of the joie de vivre of the period. It deals with subjects that were formerly taboo. There are subtle and sly references to homosexuality. Abortion and a woman's sexuality are issues in the film and dealt with in a way with which these issues were not ordinarily dealt. While it may seem tame by today's standards, this was very cutting edge in its time, and reflective of some of the changes which society, as a whole, was undergoing. This movie is definitely an oldie but a goodie.
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Her name isn't Darling, but that's what they call her. She doesn't mind, just as long as they call her--men, that is--for dates, jobs, whatever. John Schlesinger's second film with Julie Christie (after her cameo as Tom Courtenay's dream girl in "Billy Liar") put them both on the map--and won Christie the Oscar as social-climbing model/actress Diana Scott. It's a stylish, yet poignant tale (also deservedly garnering the gold for costume design); of its time, yet timeless--and the parallels between Diana and real-life royals Princesses Grace and that other Diana only add to the poignancy.
Christie's beauty and brilliance aside, the contributions of Dirk Bogarde ("The Servant") and Laurence Harvey ("The Manchurian Candidate")--two other leading lights of swinging sixties British cinema--shouldn't be overlooked. Harvey has rarely been more cool and callous, Bogarde rarely more vulnerable and human. Diana uses one man and is used by the other, only to give up her playgirl lifestyle for something brighter, shinier--and emptier. "Darling" represents the peak of the Schlesinger-Christie pairings and is one of the finest films of the 1960s. Or any decade.
Christie's beauty and brilliance aside, the contributions of Dirk Bogarde ("The Servant") and Laurence Harvey ("The Manchurian Candidate")--two other leading lights of swinging sixties British cinema--shouldn't be overlooked. Harvey has rarely been more cool and callous, Bogarde rarely more vulnerable and human. Diana uses one man and is used by the other, only to give up her playgirl lifestyle for something brighter, shinier--and emptier. "Darling" represents the peak of the Schlesinger-Christie pairings and is one of the finest films of the 1960s. Or any decade.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Where's the (Yawn) Meat?
Don't remember where i saw this classic film recommended, and i suppose it is somewhat entertaining, but really, an Oscar winning performance?? Read more
Published 13 months ago by TropicalHeat
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Happiness Girl
Darling, 1965 film
The story begins with the life of a young girl. At 20 Diana Scott is interviewed by a reporter and discovered. Read more
The story begins with the life of a young girl. At 20 Diana Scott is interviewed by a reporter and discovered. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Acute Observer
5.0 out of 5 stars
The missing scene
What happened to the corporate boardroom scene where Julie strips on the long table to entice Lawrence Harvey to tell her company secrets? Read more
Published 15 months ago by jrmoviebuff
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fashion...
'All lies are truth at a time.' This film has been unfairly criticized for the amorality and avarice of its main character, the heavy-handedness of direction, and datedness. Read more
Published on August 4, 2010 by Stefanie Casey (The Cultural Sojourner)
2.0 out of 5 stars
Don't censor the classics
I was about to give this a 5 star review because it is one of two movies that changed my life (La Dolce Vita the other) when I was in my late teens. Read more
Published on July 30, 2010 by Patrick Cronin
5.0 out of 5 stars
A life less ordinary...
The swinging 60's gets a moral awakening in John Schlesinger's 1965 gem `Darling'. With rich character development and a stunningly provocative demeanor, `Darling' barrels through... Read more
Published on February 9, 2010 by Andrew Ellington
4.0 out of 5 stars
Story of a poor little rich girl
Diana Scott (Julie Christie) has just made the cover of "Ideal Woman" magazine. In a flashback, she recalls her rise to fame and fortune, beginning as a 20-year old would-be model... Read more
Published on December 26, 2009 by Kona
5.0 out of 5 stars
Much More Than Carnaby Street Eye Candy
When I was a teenager in New York, I happened to flip the channel and came upon this movie, which I observed for no more than ten minutes. Read more
Published on September 5, 2009 by Neil Cotiaux
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not What I Assumed it Would Be
I've learned that same old lesson again: Never assume. I've always avoided this movie because I thought it was going to be a lot of 60's bands and old music and a lot of girls in... Read more
Published on February 23, 2009 by M. Morrison
3.0 out of 5 stars
A real Princess
I missed this movie when it came out:
the resulting character is sort of a cross between Grace Kelly and Princess Diana. For men this blond bomb shell is a disaster. Read more
the resulting character is sort of a cross between Grace Kelly and Princess Diana. For men this blond bomb shell is a disaster. Read more
Published on December 10, 2008 by R. Bagula
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