David Lean and the Lawrence of Arabia conundrum.
Posted: May 31st, 2008, 8:39 pm
So I've now seen 7 of David Lean's films and I like them all very much except for Lawrence of Arabia. I've seen Summertime, Great Expectations, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Brief Encounter, Lawrence of Arabia, Dr. Zhivago, and Ryan's Daughter
My concern is that Lawrence is supposed to Lean's best, and regularly shows up as one the best films ever. But I find it long, distant and boring. I can't connect emotionally with the film, and aside from the beautiful scenery there is nothing there. Heck I even watched it on a theater screen just to see if that would do it for me, but I just felt bored and annoyed, and I left at the intermission.
I was ok with my disliking the film until I watched Ryan's Daughter which is just as long, and nowhere near as highly regarded and yet I really enjoyed it. So clearly it's not just that it's long, I mean I did watch the 8 hour War and Peace, but rather something else causes me to dislike it so.
So what am I missing with this film? I don't know if I want to watch it again, but I am bothered nonetheless by the incongruity of it, given that I really liked all the Lean films I've seen.
I assume at 25, I'm old enough to appreciate the film, so what gives?
My concern is that Lawrence is supposed to Lean's best, and regularly shows up as one the best films ever. But I find it long, distant and boring. I can't connect emotionally with the film, and aside from the beautiful scenery there is nothing there. Heck I even watched it on a theater screen just to see if that would do it for me, but I just felt bored and annoyed, and I left at the intermission.
I was ok with my disliking the film until I watched Ryan's Daughter which is just as long, and nowhere near as highly regarded and yet I really enjoyed it. So clearly it's not just that it's long, I mean I did watch the 8 hour War and Peace, but rather something else causes me to dislike it so.
So what am I missing with this film? I don't know if I want to watch it again, but I am bothered nonetheless by the incongruity of it, given that I really liked all the Lean films I've seen.
I assume at 25, I'm old enough to appreciate the film, so what gives?