Ross622 Richard Brooks' "Sweet Bird of Youth" is an excellent movie based on Tennessee Williams's play of the same name. The movie stars Paul Newman as a drifter named Chance Wayne (who is the central character to this movie) who is trying to get back into his relationship with a girl named Heavenly Finley (played by Shirley Knight in an Oscar nominated performance)but he knows that she wants the same thing to happen but both have a complication that won't let it happen which is Heavenly's father who is a corrupt politician named "Boss" Finley (played by Ed Begley in an Oscar winning performance). Brooks directed this movie the best way he possibly could which is what a director is supposed to do with a movie but what I wanted to know more about the movie was why did the separation happen otherwise there was other excellent qualities to the film, for example Milton Krasner's great cinematography, the art direction was fabulous especially for Florida weather, and costumes were top notch, and especially the acting was excellent, and while Wayne is going through this tough time he has a total stranger to him keeping him company which is an obscure film star named Alexandra Del Lago (played by Geraldine Page in an Oscar nominated performance).But in the end watching this movie was worth my time just by watching even though it isn't in my list for 1962's best movies but to me it is an honorable mention. I'm totally looking forward to seeing more of Richard Brooks's movies within the foreseeable future.

james higgins 86/100. Geraldine Page gives one of the best performances of her illustrious career, if not her best. Paul Newman is magnificent, among his best five performances. The supporting cast is amazing. Madeleine Sherwood is incredible. Shirley Knight, Ed Begley, Rip Torn and Mildred Dunnock all deliver. Tennessee Williams can be a downer, but he also rights some powerful stuff, although this varies quite a bit from the book. Intense, extremely well produced in every aspect. Ed Begley won an Oscar, Page and Knight were nominated. Richard Brooks superbly directs the film with flair and style.The characters develop so amazingly well, classic film-making at its best.

edwagreen Tennessee Williams wrote a terrific Paul Newman and Geraldine Page vehicle in this 1962 top-notch production.Newman is certainly Chance Wayne. He hits every emotional height in the role of a hustler trying to outfox an aging movie star, Alexandra Del Largo, played to the hilt by the fabulous Geraldine Page. This is another super performance for Page and Williams seemed to enjoy writing for her as addicted person in both this film as well as "Summer and Smoke" the year before.Ed Begley won the Oscar for his sensational portrayal of an extremely ruthless southern politician who has got it in for Newman for getting his daughter, Shirley Knight, into trouble. Begley knows how to handle that cane for more than just walking.Mildred Dunnock plays her usual soft-spoken but wise sister-in-law to Begley.Rip Torn, son of Begley in the film, is menacing due to his dominance by his outrageous father.Madeleine Sherwood, who costarred with Newman in 1958's "Cat on A Hot Tin Roof," is terrific as Begley's tormented mistress who manages to turn the tables on this vicious character at the end.

dracher All the necessary superlatives have been used and rightly so. I wish to add that this film is a must for all thinking, feeling human beings. Geraldine Page is beyond all reasonable bounds of negative criticism, and almost above the highest extreme of praise. Her performance is from another world and is guided by her profound intellect and talent as an actress; artists rarely approach this level of control and mastery. All comments pertaining to a wooden performance by Paul Newman, must have been made by people who have no idea of the science of acting or of the process of characterisation, Newman has proved many times to be in control of his artistry and to a secure talent in the theatrical arena, in this work, he proves to be at the very edge of brilliance. Shirley Knight has come under attack for being vague and various other unflattering descriptions, watch her carefully here as Heavenly, think about Heavenly's upbringing, the home life the manipulation and the power base and scope of women generally in her generation and geographical placement, and think again! She has the character gripped with steel binding and she plays this sad, torn beautiful young woman with the greatest dignity and truth imaginable. Madeleine Sherwood and Rip Torn showing the world how character playing can be, and is, an art form in its own right when your head rules your ego and you realise that there are no small parts, only small players.Ed Begley takes character playing to the stars here, with what is essentially a character lead role, where he is able to transcend the limited dimensions of even the wide screen, by not only projecting the threat and power of Finley, but his very breath and body odour, at the same time invoking loathing and even fear from his audience, Begley's playing is a model for all time, of how a real actor can take a worthy character right to the knife edge, even to the grave danger of overplaying, yet keep it in perfect control. Those who complain about the watering down of TW and the differences between the stage production and the movie are either disappointed that the movie could not have been more focused on the original text, or are just unaware or plain stupid. The movies must have mass appeal, or at least the next best thing, they are also subject to much stronger censorship laws than the legitimate theatre and producers and directors must do the best they can, even today; this was the 1960s