SIMON CALLOW

Bil’s rating (out of 5):    BB.5. 

USA/United Kingdom, 1991.  Channel Four Films, Merchant Ivory Productions.  Screenplay by Michael Hirst, from the play by Edward Albee, based on the novel by Carson McCullers.  Cinematography by Walter Lassally.  Produced by Ismail Merchant.  Music by Richard Robbins.  Production Design by Bruno Santini.  Costume Design by Marianna Elliott.  Film Editing by Andrew Marcus.  

Oppressively weird little film from the production house of Merchant Ivory, with British actor Simon Callow directing an American drama as if it took place on another planet. Vanessa Redgrave is excellent as the tomboyish owner of a general store in a dusty southern town who is surprised by the arrival of a humpbacked dwarf claiming to be a family relation. Thrilled to have someone to take care of, and taking a liking to him instantly, Redgrave’s hard edges are soon softened and the town grows to see her as a friend. The arrival of her ex-convict husband (Keith Carradine), signifies trouble in the midst of all her newfound joy, and she must now prepare herself for the fight of a lifetime (literally) in order to get rid of him once and for all. Great acting, but the photography is overly evocative and the settings far too alienating. Also stars Rod Steiger as a sympathetic town preacher.

Berlin Film Festival:  In Competition