alexanderdavies-99382 "Look Back in Anger" marked the beginning of what would become known as the "Kitchen Sink" drama. In addition, John Osborne's play signalled the beginning of a new breed of actor in the British acting industry. There would be actors who would make plays and films which would reflect life in Britain as it really was. If Richard Burton had made more films like the above, then his film career would have been infinitely more satisfying. He is a tower of strength as the original angry young man, Jimmy Porter. Suffering from having an inferiority complex and also a chip on his shoulder, he voices his anger and unhappiness upon his long- suffering wife (well played by Mary Ure). Claire Bloom scored a triumph as Porter's lover. Richard Burton's highly distinctive Welsh voice is put to full use and exercises a wide range of emotions as a result. The film is an excellent adaptation of the play and it highlights the struggles of one man who feels he doesn't belong anywhere except where he is - running a market stall 5 days a week. He was actually a university student and is reduced to wasting his potential. His bitterness is aimed at his in-laws, his mother- in-law in particular. The way he describes her in a tone of mockery and being smarmy, sums up the situation pretty well. You never quite know when the next verbal assault will happen and you brace yourself for when it does. Underneath the anger, there lays a sadness and vulnerability about Porter. His affair with Claire Bloom reveals a more calm and sensitive side to his personality. The scene at the beginning which takes place on a Sunday morning, shows Jimmy Porter staring out the window at the nearby church. The church bells are ringing and Porter screams at the top of his voice, wanting the ringing to cease. Such fiery passion is produced by Burton's voice, I have rarely witnessed such a vocal display. The only other exceptions I can immediately think of, are Robert Shaw, Rod Steiger, Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman and Patrick McGoohan. This is a landmark film and it is just as powerful now as it was back in the 1950s.

MartinHafer Technically speaking, "Look Back in Anger" is a well made film. Despite that, it's also an incredibly unpleasant picture...so unpleasant that I wonder how many people can actually see the entire movie.Richard Burton plays a completely unlikable jerk. Despite having a college degree, he works a low-paying working class job and would do nothing else. This is because he is seething with contempt for the upper classes and would much rather be poor and angry than anything else. This is a super-serious problem considering he's married to an upper-class girl. And, he makes it his life's work to destroy her and make her feel completely devalued. Boht of these folks are friends with a guy who likes them both...which seems very tough considering he sees his friend mistreating his other friend all the time.If you can stand Burton's very famous film, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", then you MIGHT be able to appreciate and enjoy "Look Back in Anger". As for me, like is just too short to spend this much time watching someone emotionally (and occasionally physically) torture another human being. Very unpleasant.

lasttimeisaw I have only watched one film of Tony Richardson before, it happens to be his last one BLUE SKY (1994) which won a Best Leading Actress Award in Oscar for Jessica Lange (her second one). And LOOK BACK IN ANGER actually is his debut full-length feature, before that Tony was just a TV director. So it seems that it is a quite nice closure between me and Tony, do I need to watch his most notable work TOM JONES (1963)? The answer is moot. The film is adapted from a famous play written by John Osborne with the same name. In spite of the fact that I have not become an avid play fan yet (which I sense that I will become eventually and it is just a matter of time), I do love to watch films adapted from plays, as there is a big premise that at least the script itself is excellent, with this solid basis, what worst could it be? (in fact this film was a box office failure at that year notwithstanding in its trailer audiences were repetitively urged and convinced that it was a must-see!)Generally speaking, I like this film, with the non-stop acerbic remarks, mainly from BURTON's character JIMMY, it is a great training for my comprehension of English and the British accent as well. The storyline is simple, a young man tangling between two different women, but it provokes a deep sympathy towards ourselves as human beings, because we are so vulnerable and helpless, most of the time we don't know what we want. We argue, we fight, we rebel for nothing, we want to be different but are so afraid of its price, so in the end we question the worth of our existence which unfortunately is as null as nothing. One can feel the anger diffuses throughout the entire film with its misogynistic undertone, for me which intrigues a whit of antipathy. The performance is sound, even though I consider BURTON was too old for his role, but Claire Bloom and Mary Ure have constructed two distinct female roles within a perfect balance, plus a vivid small role from venerable Edith Evans, I have no complain. There is one topic recurring inside my mind, how to appreciate a film and a play from the same source. As a different media, there must be some expressible watershed in between, but by far I have no clue at all, which is a perfect excuse for me to engage myself into more films and plays!

Maddyclassicfilms Based on the play by John Osbourne this classic from 1959 not only features one of Richards best performances,but is a very early introduction to the string of so called kitchen sink dramas of the 60's. Films like Saturday Night Sunday Morning,which brought a young Albert Finney to a greater audience.These films focused on angry young men rebelling against their working class roots and the world.Look Back In Anger tells the story of sweet seller Jimmy Porter(Richard Burton)who is angry with his life,the world and the traditions and values of the time.Most of all he is angry with himself for marrying the love of his life upper class Allison(Mary Ure)and forcing her to live in a way she is not used to.He loves her very much and she him but he can't stop his feelings of hate for the way they live overwhelm him at times.They share a small flat with friend and boarder Cliff Lewis(Gary Raymond).Cliff is the referee who always tries to stop the couples massive and emotionally draining arguments(brought on by the sight of Allison doing everyday tasks which Jimmy knows she shouldn't really be doing given her background).After discovering she is pregnant but is afraid to tell him Allison on the advice of her close friend Helena(Claire Bloom)leaves to stay with her parents.Although he has always hated Helena Jimmy soon finds himself beginning a passionate affair with her,partly out of mutual desire and as a way of relieving his pain over Allison.Emotionally draining with raw and powerful performances especially Richard and Mary,Look Back In Anger is a must see with strong support from Edith Evans as an old friend of Jimmy and Donald Pleasence as Hurst who makes the market stall holders life hell.