Tony Richardson (mis)directed A Delicate Balance, a stale version of Edward Albee’s script, based on his 1966 Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name.
What a waste of talent! It stars Oscar winners Katharine Hepburn and Paul Scofield, Oscar nominees Lee Remick and Betsy Blair, and Kate Reid and Joseph Cotten,
Grade: C (*1/2* out of *****)
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The film was the second in a series produced by Ely Landau for his American Film Theatre, a subscription-based program of screen adaptations of notable plays shown in 400 cities.
The tale spans three days in the life of Agnes and Tobias (Hepburn and , an upper middle class couple who share their comfortable suburban Connecticut home with Agnes’ acerbic alcoholic sister Claire.
The matriarch Agnes helps the trio maintain a delicate balance in their lives, held together by habitude, shared memories–and consumption of dry martinis.
The seemingly peaceful facade of their existence is shattered with the arrival of longtime friends Harry and Edna who, suddenly overcome by a nameless terror, fled their home.
The couple is followed by Agnes and Tobias’ bitter daughter Julia (Lee Remick), 36, who has returned home after the collapse of her fourth marriage.
Their presence leads to self-examination, during which all six are forced to explore their psyches and confront their inner demons.
Richardson fails to open up the play, resulting in a stiff and dull movie that’s all talk, talk, talk.
Cast
Katharine Hepburn as Agnes
Paul Scofield as Tobias
Lee Remick as Julia
Kate Reid as Claire
Joseph Cotten as Harry
Betsy Blair as Edna
Credits:
Directed by Tony Richardson
Written by Edward Albee
Produced by Ely Landau
Cinematography David Watkin
Edited by John Victor Smith
Distributed by American Film Theatre
Release date: November 12, 1973
Running time: 133 minutes
