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Bookmark this pageSplendor in the Grass (1961)
Director: Elia Kazan
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
With Beatty (his debut) and Wood star-crossed by parental opposition to their adolescent romance, William Inge's script is a sort of Romeo and Juliet translated to Depression Kansas. Attacked by many as being a hysterical account of sexual neurosis, praised by others for the acting (especially of Wood, as the daughter who goes mad) and for its occasional moments of great beauty, this is probably Kazan's most fought-over movie. A complicated film that never really successfully yokes together the themes of money-making and sexuality, it reveals both Kazan's operatic sensibility and his inability to follow an argument rigorously through.Author: PH
User reviews of this film
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- Michael O'Farrell said...
- Posted on Jun 22 2008 02:46 This is a timeless film, made memorable by great acting (Beatty and Wood are luminous), superb direction and production values. Pat Hingle's oil baron remains a bit over the top but it's a fascinating performance nevertheless. In some ways this is Kazan's most satisfying film. It's a brilliant tear jerker and and a lasting testament to the incredible beauty and talent of Natalie Wood.
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Cast & crew
Director: Elia Kazan
Producer: Elia Kazan
Cast: Natalie Wood, Warren Beatty, Pat Hingle, Barbara Loden, Sandy Dennis, Audrey Christie, Gary Lockwood, Zohra Lampert, Phyllis Diller full cast
Duration: 124 mins
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