Living & Glorious
Living & Glorious

Living & Glorious

1965Movie20 minItalian

Leonardi's film about the Living Theatre is less concerned with a straight documentary presentation of the exile theatre group from New York, but rather is concerned with the specific atmospheric factor which is indicated by their name, and which constitutes the highly suggestive effect of their playing. Cutting, for Leonardi, is the most decisive aesthetic device. The result is a wonderfully composed furioso of pictures. The hand-held camera catches rehearsals, conversations without sound, bits of theatre and daily life actions (which, for Living Theatre people, is very often intermixed).

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Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Gavin LambertGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

A wealthy, aging socialite, driven by a desire to recapture her youth and past glories, embarks on a series of romantic entanglements with younger men. Her obsession leads her to manipulate and exploit those around her, including her estranged daughter, in a desperate bid for attention and validation. The film explores themes of vanity, loneliness, and the destructive nature of clinging to a bygone era.

Critical Reception

Living & Glorious received a mixed reception upon its release. While some critics praised Joan Crawford's powerhouse performance and the film's exploration of aging and societal expectations, others found the plot melodramatic and dated. Audiences were similarly divided, with some drawn to Crawford's star power and others put off by the film's somber tone and characterizations.

What Reviewers Say

  • Joan Crawford delivers a commanding, albeit over-the-top, performance as a woman consumed by her past.
  • The film's exploration of vanity and aging is potent but often overshadowed by its melodramatic plot.
  • A showcase for its aging star, but ultimately feels like a relic of a bygone Hollywood era.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this film, but general sentiment suggests a polarized view. Some viewers appreciated Joan Crawford's dramatic presence and the film's themes, while others found it to be overly theatrical and melodramatic, failing to resonate with modern sensibilities.

Fun Fact

The film was originally intended for Bette Davis before Joan Crawford took over the role, further fueling the legendary rivalry between the two actresses.

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