Archive for the 'Reviews' Category

Movies about writers: Iris

I was first drawn to the movie Iris because it starred Judi Dench in the lead role. She plays the role of the author Iris Murdoch. I am a great admirer of the acting of Judi Dench. She plays each character with a genuine understanding of the role. She makes acting look so easy, so natural and always so endearing.

In this role she is superb, playing the aging writer Iris Murdoch. Kate Winslet does a credible performance as the young Iris. As the writer ages she steadily succumbs to debilitating Alzheimer’s. She brings a poignant portrayal of the struggles with words and ideas, a land foreign to this intellectual giant of earlier years.

It is compelling viewing. Jim Broadbent also does an excellent job as the life-long soul mate and husband of Iris.

As yet I have yet to read any of Murdoch’s writing. I must make the effort soon.

Links:

  • Iris Murdoch – a short biography of the author.
  • Iris Murdoch – article in Wikipedia about the author; includes a bibliography of her works.

In the comments section tell me about other movies about writers that you have enjoyed. They can be either films about real authors, or feature characters playing the part of an author.

Wonderful writing

Yesterday was a horrible day.

From early in the day the hot north westerly wind blew up dust squalls making it most uninviting to be outside. By lunch time the temperature had soared to 41 degrees C (that’s 106F for those who use that scale) so inside with the airconditioner going was the place to be.

At lunch time I switched on the television to watch a repeat episode of Rumpole of the Bailey. There were seven series spanning the years 1978 to 1992. When this series first appeared on television I was fascinated by the rich and wonderful language used by author John Mortimer. The episode we watched was called “The Summer of Discontent.”

The main character, Horace Rumpole frequently quotes from the Oxford Book of English Verse. There is an Australian connection too. Actor Leo McKern was born in Sydney. He died several years ago.

Wonderful writing in a television series or a film is noteworthy these days because it is so uncommon. Any kind of trash is dished up these days, pretending to be entertainment. Rare indeed are little gems of writing so in evidence in this series.