Disappointing compared to Tony Richardson's earlier films.
The best part of the film has got to be:
THE HIGHWAYMAN:"Stand and deliver!"
MISS WESTERN:"What?"
THE HIGHWAYMAN:"Stand and deliver!"
MISS WESTERN:"Deliver?Deliver what?I am no traveling midwife!"
A spirited and delightful comedy of manners, this film caused a sensation in its day but, from the looks of some other contemporary comments, is looked down upon and seen as dated by a lot of viewers these days. That's quite a shame, since its energy and humor are a joy to experience. The movie is viscerally entertaining and kinetic in a way I've rarely seen in any earlier film; the fox hunt sequence is particularly astounding. Visually and story-wise, this is rather like 'Barry Lyndon,' only more fun. 'Tom Jones' is - and I love saying this about films from the sixties and before - a total blast.
This is a delightfully witty and fun period comedy that won the Oscar for Best Picture. Albert Finny is great as the title character, the supporting cast are equally wonderful and the direction is well done. The first 30 minutes are a bit sluggish but once it finds its groove it becomes an enjoyably entertaining film.
Almost perfect entertainment, dramatic but never too serious, hilarious and sometimes silly but never juvenile, cleverly written but never too intellectual- hugely enjoyable!
I can appreciate the effort that went into this adaptation of Fielding's comic masterpiece, but I don't feel that everything comes together in the end. This is a tremendously uneven production, largely due to its questionable editing -- some scenes are much too brief, while others plod along inexplicably. I also don't prefer how the unnamed narrator was used in the film. He registers as an important character in the novel, spouting wryly humorous observations that add to the story, but here the narration is used only sparingly and that same effect is never achieved. There are some laughs and memorable performances, but mostly the film looks outdated and does not capture the spirit of the book. Perhaps it is time for a modern-day "Tom Jones" re-make?
MCT:June 17, 2008
MCT:May 24, 2008
MCT:December 25, 2007
MCT:June 13, 2007
MCT:April 24, 2007
MCT:September 4, 2006
