The Angelic Conversation
The Angelic Conversation

Movie spotlight

The Angelic Conversation

1987
Movie
78 min
English

The Angelic Conversation is a lyrical, haunting film about a young man’s search for love in a dreamlike landscape. Its tone is set by the juxtaposition of slow moving homo-erotic images and opaque landscapes through which two men take a journey into their own desires. Offscreen, Dame Judi Dench recites a sequence of Shakespeare's sonnets that counterpoint the action. Jarman called it, “My most austere work, but also the closest to my heart.”

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Director: Graeme BasebyGenres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Plot Summary

This experimental film is a poetic and surreal exploration of love, desire, and the fluidity of gender, told through a series of monologues spoken by androgynous characters. Set against a stark, dreamlike landscape, the narrative unfolds as a stream of consciousness, delving into themes of identity, transformation, and the nature of human connection. It's a visually striking and emotionally resonant piece that challenges conventional storytelling.

Critical Reception

Graeme Baseby's "The Angelic Conversation" is a unique and divisive art-house film. Critically, it has been recognized for its artistic ambition, striking visual style, and the powerful performances of its leads, particularly John Hurt's narration. However, its experimental nature and abstract narrative have led to mixed reactions, with some finding it profoundly moving and others deeming it inaccessible or overly esoteric. It garnered a cult following for its daring approach to filmmaking and its exploration of complex themes.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its innovative visual style and poetic narration.

  • Commended for its bold exploration of gender and identity.

  • Criticized by some for its abstract and challenging narrative structure.

Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for this experimental film is not readily available in public databases.

Fun Fact

The film famously features narration by acclaimed actor John Hurt, whose voice lends a profound gravitas to the poetic and philosophical monologues.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Paul Reynolds and Philip Williamson reminded me of silent film actors in this really quite poignant tale of homosexual longing, lust and pure love all complemented by a Shakesperian narrative consisting of fourteen of his sonnets read, emot...

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