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Suddenly, Last Summer
 
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Suddenly, Last Summer

Elizabeth Taylor (Actor), Katharine Hepburn (Actor), Joseph L. Mankiewicz (Director) | Format: DVD
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)

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This black-and-white film adaptation of Tennessee Williams's Southern gothic play is perhaps more famous for the rumored off-screen shenanigans of its stars than for its over-the-top repressed sexuality (only Williams could pull off that paradox, and pull it off he does). Supposedly, stars Katharine Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor battled for screen time; Hepburn warred very publicly with director Joseph Mankiewicz; and a postaccident Montgomery Clift relied heavily on painkillers and support from friend Taylor during the grueling shoot. Even this, however, cannot top the events of the film itself, revolving around the unseen playboy Sebastian and his mysterious death, which has something to do with young boys, a decadent European vacation, and Taylor in a provocative wet, white bathing suit. To give away the plot would spoil the fun, but suffice it to say that what Taylor saw was so horrible it drove her nuts, and Sebastian's mother (Hepburn) wants her to have a lobotomy in order to keep it from coming out; Clift is brought in to do the procedure. It's all a hoot and a holler, but as played by the two leading ladies (both of whom nabbed Oscar nominations), it's also compelling, chilling, and utterly gothic. Taylor gives a fierce performance, as the climaxing monologue that reveals Sebastian's "secret" rests entirely on her shoulders, and Hepburn plays brilliantly against type as Sebastian's manipulating, overbearing mother. Only Clift, saddled with a dreary character in charge of plot exposition, fails to deliver. Adapted by Gore Vidal. --Mark Englehart

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Customer Reviews

36 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (36 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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4.0 out of 5 stars Southern Discomfort, April 6 2012
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This review is from: Suddenly, Last Summer (DVD)
Tennessee Williams once again moulds his characters from his own dysfunctional past, bringing to life haunting southern secrets in this riveting classic. Katherine Hepburn, Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor are at their best, emoting an understanding of Williams'
troubled characters with larger than life performances from their silver screen heyday. The realistic settings and devotion of minor characters to their art, enhance the production and help to flesh out William's poetic and dark intentions.
This is a must see whether a first-timer or devoted Tennessee Williams fan.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars What does Cathy know? What happened last summer?, Jan 8 2007
By 
M. B. Alcat "Curiosity killed the cat, but sa... (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Suddenly, Last Summer (DVD)
"Suddenly Last Summer" (1959) is a strange, dark movie, directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and based on a play written by Tennessee Williams. This film touches many subjects that where highly controversial at the time it was made, for example mental illness, homosexuality and cannibalism. Truth to be told, a lot is to be inferred, and not much is shown. However, the fact that the characters hardly ever mention things that so obviously have to do with what happens makes those themes stand out even more.

The central question in this movie is, of course, "what happened last summer?", and the spectator will be immediately drawn into the mystery. Unfortunately for us, the only witness to what happened is Catherine Holly (Elizabeth Taylor), a beautiful and traumatized young woman who became mentally unbalanced after witnessing the death of her cousin Sebastian Venable. Her aunt, wealthy Mrs. Violet Venable (Katharine Hepburn), thinks that Catherine should be lobotomized. That is the reason why she urges neurosurgeon Dr. John Cukrowicz (Montgomery Clift) to perform the operation. However, Dr. Cukrowicz believes that his patient may not be mad, after all, and that Mrs. Violet Venable might want the lobotomy in order to destroy Catherine?s mind. But what does Cathy know? What happened last summer?

On the whole, I think that you will like this movie, if you don?t mind the somber tone that pervades it. Recommended!

Belen Alcat
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5.0 out of 5 stars An Underrated Classic, Jun 8 2004
By 
Kristal Williams (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Suddenly, Last Summer (DVD)
What more could a movie buff ask for? Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn and Montgomery Clift; 3 great actors of film in ONE movie! I am a 20 year old college student and let me tell you that there is just something about this movie that captures me. I LIKE this film very much. This movie is complex, yet understated but if anything is to entice you to buy this movie, it should be the performaces. Both Hepburn and Taylor were nominated for Oscars for thier roles here and it is easy to see why; their performances are brilliant and mesmerizing. Clift is also good here too, but the film truly belongs to the two female stars. If this film was good enough to capture a 20 year olds attention, then that should be proof as to just how good the movie and the performances in it are! The DVD also features stills from the movie, is available in both widescreen and full screen and also features bios on all the stars!
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