World According to Garp, The (1982)
“When I’m old and gray, I won’t remember my past. We have to do it now, while we’re still young.”
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Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:
Review: Playing the film’s titular protagonist, Robin Williams is competent and generally sympathetic, but slips into variations on himself far too easily to convince us that his T.S. Garp really exists as a viable character. Much more believable is Glenn Close in her Oscar-nominated feature debut as Garp’s eccentric, asexual mother: her performance remains the film’s primary redeeming virtue. Jon Lithgow (also nominated for an Academy Award) is both dignified and amusing in a supporting role as Garp’s transsexual friend, Roberta, but his character — like much of the film — is sadly under-written. Indeed, it’s disappointing to see so many intriguing storylines — including Mary Beth Hurt’s affair with a graduate student (Mark Soper): … Close’s relationship with a reformed hooker (Swoozie Kurtz): and the existence of a group of extremist feminists known as the Ellen James society: (who cut off their tongues in solidarity with a young rape victim) — treated with so little consideration. By the end of the film, one can only guess at the richer themes and characterizations in Irving’s novel, which fail to make a lasting impression on-screen. Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
One thought on “World According to Garp, The (1982)”
Not must-see. Overall, I’m in agreement with the assessment given – especially the point that it’s the film’s episodic nature that is its main undoing. The various pieces aren’t boring, especially – in fact, they are often compelling – but some cohesion sure would come in handy. Without that, things do plod along a bit, with viewers given little to do by way of piecing it all together.
Indeed, some of the individual story lines could be complete narratives in themselves. Especially, John Lithgow’s Roberta. I have seldom seen Lithgow this right for a role. And I kept wanting the film to be Roberta’s story – but, alas, she’s more or less kept on the periphery and the result is somewhat frustrating.
That said, I do think the film is directed quite well by George Roy Hill (in the spirit of his earlier ‘The World of Henry Orient’, actually) and the performances are interesting enough that I’ll give the film a ‘once-must’ recommendation.