Review: The Dead (Huston, 1987)
November 4th 2009 04:45
The Dead is a quiet gem in the vast world of cinema. The film was director John Huston’s last, (released posthumously) a love letter to Ireland and favorite author James Joyce. Huston enlisted his son to adapt Joyce’s short story The Dead from his Dubliners collection. Anjelica Huston, his daughter, was cast in the lead. One can only imagine the amount of joy that went into making this film; it was truly a labor of love.
The Dead is an 83 minute period piece set during a holiday dinner party in 1904 Dublin, Ireland. Most would assume from the title to be treated to an aspect of horror, but there is none to be found, unless one counts the horrors of self realization. We are introduced to an ensemble of characters, lead by Gabriel Conroy (Donal McCann). The film is essentially about Gabriel and his own inadequacies. These are portrayed so subtly in the film that it is easy to gloss over everything that is occurring eternally. In fact, if unfamiliar with the short story it is difficult to assess that Gabriel is our lead and we should be focusing on his expressions and actions which subtly reveal his insecurities and social awkwardness.
The party unfolds; guests are elegantly dressed, music is played, people sing, and Gabriel watches his wife, Gretta (Anjelica Huston) throughout the evening, only to discover the emotional distance he never realized existed. Gabriel soon learns of an experience from her past, forcing him to confront his own feelings of love and loss. Gabriel’s epiphany in the film is conveyed via voice over. The device serves its purpose yet there is no doubt the emotional impact would be stronger through the descriptive narrative of the original short story.
Very little occurs in terms of plot throughout The Dead. Instead we are invited in as observers to an ordinary party that has a profound impact on various characters in multiple ways. The camera slowly pans the room, the attention and nuance like that of an Altman film. Yet once these events happen in the lives of our scattered ensemble, we leave them almost immediately, only allowed brief glimpses into one cold winter’s night.
As the credits role, the viewer is forced to think of their own existence. It’s impossible not to identify with the doubt and uncertainty portrayed within Gabriel. He is a flawed man who, perhaps, has never experienced real passion or love. He is rather pathetic yet oddly endearing. The Dead is quietly beautiful, gorgeously acted, and utterly mesmerizing.
Unable to purchase on DVD previously, The Dead was released this week from Lionsgate. A quick scan of amazon’s website reveals this version inexplicably cuts about 10 minutes from the start of the film, bringing its runtime down to a whopping 73 minutes. In addition, the print is apparently faded. Recently the film has been played on the IFC channel; any outlet other than the DVD would be recommended.
(how Lionsgate completely ruined a film that should get a Criterion release is detailed in its entirety here
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I have been dying to see this film for about 15 years. As a massive fan of John Huston and Anjelica too, it has always been discussed favorably around me and I have never been able to find it.
The DVd release is an exciting event and although i do have it in my netflix queue it has a "long wait" tag at the moment.
Sad to know about the trimming and lack of picture quality, but still i must see it!
Comment by Cinema is truth
Cinema is Truth
Cinema is Truth