Newspaper Page Text
full IhlNiatlMll IlMirsday. May 2. I arts
Late release ‘Return of the Soldier’:
good performances, weak ending
A review of "The Return of the Soldier." starring Julie
Chrietie, Alan Batea. Glenda Jackson and Ann Margret
Released by 100I Century Fox Now playing at the Beech
wood Cinemas
By JIM FARMER
H'<t out BUrfc null Writer
Just when it seemed that Athens was becoming littered by
debris like "Avenging Angel" and "Porky's Revenge," along
comes "The Return of the Soldier." an intelligent, ex
ceptionally well-made film featuring glowing performances
by a remarkable cast.
Julie Christie stars as Kitty, the wife of a soldier who. along
with her frail cousin Jenny, played by Ann-Margret, is
anxiously awaiting the arrival of her husband (Tins (Alan
Bates) When he does not return, it is discovered that he is at
a nearby hospital, shell-shocked, with no memory of the last
20 years of his life His marriage to Kitty has been forgotten
Instead. Chris can only recall his affair with Margaret
Allington (Glenda Jackson), the daughter of an innkeeper,
now happily married Chris still takes a fancy to Margaret,
while a Jeolous Kitty insists that he is only pretending This
sets up a unique triangle between the three characters, made
even more intriguing by the fact that spinster Jenny secretly
loves Chris also Should the soldier be allowed to live his life
oblivious to his past, or should he be forced lo remember his
unhappy marriage to Kitty?
There are some dull moments, and a weak ending leaves
many questions unanswered Overall, though, "The Return
of the Soldier" is a handsome film, a feast for the eyes and
one that absorbs because of the plight of its characters and
because the ensemble acting offered by the cast is
unquestionably the best so far this year
Julie Christie, after a brief absence from the screen, is
wonderful in the complex role as Kitty She's not always
likeable, but we understand her envy and grief It's nice to
have her back Alan Bates can always be counted on to give a
good performance, and here he is at his masterful best,
combing nobility with a boyish charm and vulnerability
Glenda Jackson has the best-written role and responds by-
giving an enchanting, multi-layered performance, unlike
anything she’s ever done Her scenes with Bates after he
returns are the movie's best
Ann Margret would seem to be over her head in a cast with
troopers like Jackson, Christie and Bates, but she more than
holds her own Her finely-etched performance ranks as one of
the finest of her career It's amazing to watch her tran
sformation from minor actress in "Kitten With a Whip" to
the enormously gifted actress she is now
"The Return of the Soldier" was made two years ago. and
is only now getting the release it deserves It’s a welcome
alternative to the adolescent fare playing in town now
THK FAR SIDE By GARY LARSON
"Now, in this slide we con see how the cot noted
cat has seemed to suddenly grow bigger ...
Trlckeryt Trickery! Trickery!"
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64A.D. EMPEROR NERO COMES UP WITH A
BRIGHT IDEA FOR ENDING URBAN BLIGHT
Nero 's fiddling around with
bnght ideas wouldn ‘t
have been necessary
if Bud bght had
been served at all
those toga parries
Its the less filling
light beer with the
first name in taste
So. friends and
countrymen, bring
out your best Serve
Bud bght at your next
toga party Or ask for it
at your favonte
beeratonum
EVERYTHING
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