Customer Reviews

Hurlyburly and Those the River Keeps: Two Plays

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have often seen or heard this play reviewed as a comedy, a black comedy, yes, but a comedy. I do not see it that way at all. Aside from the witty comments made by some of the characters. Of course maybe the comedy comes in the delivery of the lines. It seems to me that it is a deep search for Eddie from the beginning. It is near Dadaism or Existensialism; he is thouroughly disgusted with the world, women, and even his friends much of the time. The Dramatic question seems to be What will Eddie find? I enjoyed the search with him and liked the play very much.

Great plays. Hurly Burly is one of the most character-rich, deeply self-reflective exercises for actors I've seen. Great for young professionals.

i found this play to be very interesting. i don't know if i'd call it a comedy, other than the absurdity of the characters. it's one i'd be interested in seeing performed.

I guess in all fairness I shouldn't be writing a review because I've never even read the book. Despite that, I've read the screenplay for Hurlyburly which David Rabe wrote starring Sean Penn and Kevin Spacey and I can't help but tell everyone how great it is. I'm a film student at the University of Miami and like most other aspiring screenwriters and directors I am constantly shuffling through feature films for something of substance. Hurlyburly, the movie that is, really blew me away and I can't wait to read the book version. The dialogue and the ensemble cast made for one of the most dramatic black comedies I have ever seen. It depicts a bunch of ambitious Hollywood players who are desperately trying to find meaning in their lives. The words and interaction are so powerful and well crafted that it has made Hurlyburly one of my all time favorites. I'm looking forward to reading more of David Rabe's work. Yes, you've probably never heard of it, but that can only mean one thing...It's great!

I'll limit my remarks to Hurlyburly. Wordy. Way too wordy. Way too long as a play. Maybe two acts too long. With characters that, by act 2, I grew to hate. Their endless droning and complaining was boring and seemingly pointless. I didn't like these characters, didn't find them interesting and didn't find them to be intelligent or insightful enough to hold three acts together. I'll stop right here. I don't want to appear to be too wordy.