The Miracle Worker

Starring: Anne Bancroft, Patty Duke, Victor Joy, Inga Swenson, Andrew Prine
Directed by: Arthur Penn
Rating: Not rated
Genre: Drama
1962

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Anne Sullivan (Anne Bancroft) struggles to teach the blind and deaf Hellen Keller (Patty Duke) to communicate.

Review:

Tim: I always feel a little torn when I watch actors playing roles in a movie that they perfected on the stage first. It feels a bit like they have an unfair advantage. As often happens, though (and is true in the case of The Miracle Worker), all that repetition pays off. In this film, Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke both reprise their roles from the stage. It's not all that surprising that both give remarkable performances. It might feel a little unfair, but you can't argue with the results- their excellent portrayals of these characters elevate this movie to greatness.

The story itself is ripe for a film. It's hard to even fathom how a young girl could live without being able to see or hear. Helen Keller's story is remarkable. I shudder when I think about the feeling of isolation, of confusion that must have made up every single day of her life. When you ask the question- how do you teach someone who can't see or hear? It really doesn't offer up many answers, especially during the time period in which Keller lived. This movie takes a deep look at what Anne Sullivan experienced as she tried to break through Keller's walls and her disabilities to connect with the curious, intelligent girl within. It's the kind of overcoming obstacles movies that is inspiring and exciting.

This all comes to a head in several scenes that are truly remarkable. These mostly involve incredibly physical performances from Bancroft and Duke. The breakfast table scene is perhaps the most memorable. You see these two strong-willed characters locked in combat. Young Keller is ornery and used to getting her own way. Sullivan is iron-willed and refuses to budge. The physicality of these scenes were stunning. It almost doesn't feel like they are acting- they are both so into their characters and the requirements of those scenes. The pushing, shouting, the level of destruction they create in the dining room- it's all a marvel to see. I sat transfixed during this sequence and the others that were similar to it. The first one is so incredible and it shocked me how long it lasted (8 minutes!). It makes for fantastic viewing. Director Arthur Penn does an incredible job of allowing his actresses to go at these scenes full tilt. It truly is something to behold.

In addition to the physical aspects of their roles, Bancroft and Duke are both sublime in their portrayals of these characters. You learn to appreciate Sullivan's stubbornness and her insistence that her method is correct. She faces major challenges- not just with the unruly Keller, but with Keller's parents, who aren't convinced that Sullivan's methods will work. Bancroft shows the determination of this woman, as well as her own insecurities. It's a great performance and it's not a surprise that she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. She puts everything into her performance and that shows up in every single scene. Duke is fantastic as well. Her ability to act as a blind and deaf Keller is stunning. Her performance is so believable, which is amazing coming from such a young actress. Duke holds her own against the larger, grown Bancroft and similarly throws everything into her performance. She was truly remarkable in one of the best performances I've seen in a long, long time. I was happy to see Duke won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. At the time, she was the youngest actress to ever win. The rest of the cast is good, too, but Bancroft and Duke soak up all the limelight (deservedly so).

In addition to the two Academy Award wins, this film was nominated for 3 others- Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Costume Design, B&W. All that to say that The Miracle Worker is a critically acclaimed, worthwhile movie. It's a powerful story of two strong women overcoming obstacles to make a personal connection that results in a life-changing breakthrough. This is a great movie and one that sticks with you long after seeing it.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Graduate, Children of a Lesser God