Out of Africa

Starring: Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Michael Kitchen
Directed by: Sydney Pollack
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama, Romance
1985

Times Seen:
Tim: 1


Summary: A Danish writer (Meryl Streep) moves to Kenya to live with her husband (Klaus Maria Brandauer) but soon falls in love with a dashing adventurer (Robert Redford).

Review:

Tim: There are a lot of reasons to like this multiple Oscar winning movie. The cinematography is often astounding. There are strong performances, some dramatic moments, and some genuine romantic ones. The movie whisks us away to the far off lands of Africa, but the location always supports the stroy. However, this film is far from perfect. At two and a half hours, the movie is a bit long and drags in places. I appreciate the effort to create an epic movie, but it could have been shorter. I also thought the ending was surprisingly weak. I expected a big emotional payoff, and I never got it. The film missed a few chances there.

This is a solid movie, well directed by Sydney Pollack, but I am a bit surprised it won 7 Academy Awards. I can see the Oscars for Cinematography, Art Direction, Best Original Score, and Best Sound. If I stretch a bit, I can also make sense of the Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director. Pollack does create a beautiful movie- the amazing African landscape, the haunting and beautiful music- this movie is truly a beauty to behold. However, I am bot completely convinced in its lasting greatness. I'm not sure if this was just a weaker year for movies, but I am a bit surprised this film took the Best Picture at the 1986 Academy Awards. Yes, I thought it was good, but not great. This movie is not near the top of my favorite Best Picture winners.

I know I am being pretty hard on this movie, but I admit my expectations were high. A Best Picture winner starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep, directed by Sydney Pollack. I just expected more. I thought Meryl Streep did a very good job in her role. She is very good throughout, and on occasion, is nothing short of fantastic. Robert Redford brought a good amount of charm to the role. I really enjoyed seeing him on screen. I was expecting a bit more chemistry between Streep and Redford. I never truly bought their relationship. Alone, they are both great, but their scenes together needed to be better. This might be why I didn't have more of an emotional reaction to the conclusion.

Out of Africa is a good movie, but I can't help it- I just wanted more. With all the talent that went into this film, all the awards it received, I hoped that it would have been better. It is truly an epic movie, but epic at the expense of some excitement. There are too many scenes that drag out a bit long. I liked this movie, but I did not love it. That is a shame, because this movie had every reason to be memorable and amazing.



Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The English Patient, Amadeus, Three Days of the Condor, Kramer v. Kramer