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Customer Reviews of Reflections in a Golden Eye

Bizzare, Grotesque, Disturbing...And Yet Strangely Brilliant
Reflections in a Golden Eye is a film based on the Carson McCullers novel of the same name. It surrounds the lives of Major Penderton (Brando) a repressed homosexual married to an unsympathetic, emasculating woman-Lenora (Liz Taylor), who is having an affair with Lt. Langdon whose wife Alision, has descended into self-mutilation-cutting off her nipples with garden shears-unable to come to terms with the loss of her child. As the movie begins the audience is greeted with an eerie musical score and is introduced to Private Williams a loner who seems to have a predilection for horses-among other things. <
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>Major Penderton is aware of the affair between his wife and Lt. Langdon but is unconcerned. His wife Lenora taunts him constantly, making fun of his viriliy-or lack thereof, and even calls him "prissy" one night after he tells her she "looks like a slattern" (a slob) and that she disgusts him. In response, she disrobes and silently taunts him. After which he suddenly breaks down and threatens her. At this, she inquires if he'd ever been thrashed by a naked woman-knowing that she is fully capable of causing him bodily harm, his body grows limp in defeat. <
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>On one occasion Major Penderton joins his wife and Lt. Langdon on a horseback ride in the woods where they encounter Private Williams riding horseback nude. Lenora and Langdon find it amusing and impressive, while Major Penderton is both appalled and fascinated. Throughout, we see Major Penderton try to prove his manhood by barking out orders to subordinates, depriving Capt. Weincheck, a man who enjoys listening to classical music and playing the violin (something which is vaguely interpreted as homosexual) of a good evaluation on his efficiency report, and attempting to ride his wife's horse Firebird whom she describes as a "stallion" (another of his wife's taunts at his inadequacy as a man). After a feeble attempt at riding the horse, he beats the horse in anger and frustration-the look on Brando's face in this moment causes one to pity not only the horse but Major Penderton also-he becomes hysterical-it is as if he is laughing and crying at the same time. Of course his wife finds out about the incident and proceeds to beat Penderton about the face with her whip, in front of their guests-and all the while he stands-almost like a statue accepting the beating. <
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>Eventually, Penderton becomes obsessed with Private Williams who seems to enjoy not only nude horseback riding but nude sunbathing in the woods and nude nature walks as well. Over time, Penderton grows in his obsession of Private Williams- stalking him, picking up a candy wrapper he has thrown on the ground. Seemingly, the Private is aware of Penderton's fascination and at times seems to play along. <
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>In the finale, Penderton peers out of his window and finds Private Williams lurking around his home-he believes the Private is coming to see him-not knowing that the Private has been breaking into his home each night carrying out his strange fetishes with Penderton's wife. Probably one of the best scenes in the movie is when Brando improvises-primping himself by combing down his hair to prepare for what he perceives is the Private's visit. Tragic events will soon follow. <
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>At the same time all these things are occuring, Lt. Langdon's wife is being cared for (mothered) and entertained by their VERY flamboyant Filipino house boy Anacleto, portrayed by Zorro David, a beautician and painter making his first and only screen appearance. On one occasion he paints a peacock with a golden eye, and explains that the peacock's golden eye sees clearly those things that are tiny and grotesque-hence the title of the book and film. <
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>There is so many things going on in this movie that it could easily become the subject of a doctoral thesis. Brando gives a very brave and daring performance. It is the MOST underrated performance of his career and is truly one of his finest. His performance in this film deserves to be counted amongst his best. Liz Taylor is great playing her Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf characterization. Both Brain Keith and Juile Harris provide great support. Robert Forster makes an unusual screen debut as Private Williams. And Zorro David, the flamboyant Filipino house boy is indeed comical and extremely over the top-making a film with such a dark subject matter feel almost as if it were a dark comedy. At times I felt he needed to have been reeled in by director John Huston because he was so over the top. When this film debuted it sharply divided audiences and critics alike. And it's no wonder why-it is both bizarre and grotesque but also brilliant. Oftentimes I wondered if I were watching a thriller/horror film instead of a drama-because there were so many scenes in this film that were simply chilling. <
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>Sadly, I don't know if this film will ever overcome the stigma attached to it. It is indeed a very strange film and not for everyone, but it is a brilliant film illustrating how perversion in society can happen in any setting-even in the most conformist and pristine and amongst the most unlikely of people. <
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A Daring Film Classic
"Reflecions in a Golden Eye" is a deliberately slow moving, moody, atmospheric rendition of a literay classic. Critics and audiences were not impressed in 1967, when it was first released. But to compare it to international masterpieces such as Luis Bunuel's films, Carl Theodore Dreyer's (The Passion of Joan of Arc)masterpieces, and even Ingmar Bergman's unforgetable views into the dark psyche of "normal" and "abnormal" people, is to realize how close to the mark John Huston was. The acting by the four principles is truly moving. I'll never forget Brando's expression after his wife's horse throws him. Gives this film a chance. It is sad and quietly passionate at the same time.

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Brilliance
A film that will come of age one day. Human extremes bring self examination. Executed with gut, ahead of of it's time then, and sadly, still. It's style's influence can be seen in the 70's heyday, but never matched. Taylor preps V.Wolf, Julie Harris finally snaps! and Brando puncuates his previous work with unforseen skill, offering his first and only 100 percent. A man's portrait still unrivaled. <
>Where are the Huston DVD's? Not the Noir. Criterion? Esp. this one. Is this film stock decaying?