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Rating: 3 out of 5
Recently, I just watched Women in Love. I didn’t know what to expect. I thought it would be about a group of women who would go around courting men. Reading the title, I thought it would be something like the precursor of Sex in the City. If you don’t know, I love me some Samantha Jones. By far the best character. Okay, getting off track. After watching this film, I don’t know what to feel or think of it. It felt like softcore porn with some “high quality” acting and a few scenes that might make you scratch your head.
What is this film about? Directed by Ken Russell, the plot revolves around the relationships between two sisters and two men. In post-World War I, in the Midlands mining town of Beldover, two sisters, Gudrun (Jackson) and Ursula (Linden) Brangwen, discuss marriage and life on their way to a friend’s wedding. They are both teachers in the town, while Gudrun is also an artist. During the wedding, each sister is fascinated by a particular member of the wedding party. Gudrun has the hots for her friend’s brother, Gerald (Reed), and Ursula is quite taken by Gerald’s best friend, Rupert Birkin (Bates). Rupert works as a school inspector, and Gerald is a mining heir in charge of the town’s coal mine. The four are brought together during a house party at the estate of Hermione Roddice (Bron), a wealthy woman whose relationship with Rupert is falling apart. During the house party, the group talks about love, sex, and get really erotic with some fruit. Hermione sensing the feelings of the others, have ulterior motives for the party that really don’t go as planned. Throughout the film, all four are in different places in life and mentally. Each one requires something different from their respective relationship. As the four become couples, the strain on each of their views, wants, and needs might split them apart.
I don’t know about you, but once again, this movie was like a softcore porn with some strange ass scenes. When watching, it felt like the film wanted to explore all aspects of love, sex, and how people deal with their respective relationships. The whole film felt like people were in a toxic relationship but wanted each other. Gudrun and Gerald had this weird relationship where he was aggressive but never hit her. It seemed like Gerald was controlling and jealous as he got mad at Gudrun’s gay friend. Come on, man! She loves you, but the dude was a player who lusted after Gudrun and wanted to make sure she only loved him. I felt like the film was more geared towards this relationship. You see them in a boat together or messing around with bison. It was bizarre to look at.
It seems more wholesome when you get to Ursula and Rupert’s relationship. There was a strong connection between them. It just seemed like Rupert was a high all-the-time person. Dude frolicked through the grass field all the time and just seemed out of it. I would say this was the best relationship because even though they argued, you could tell they truly loved each other.
The film also had scenes that were strange to watch. Sometimes I didn’t know what I was watching. The first is when Ursula and Gudrun find a secluded spot. Gudrun dances before some Highland cattle while Ursula sings. It was okay when Gudrun started dancing toward these cattle. The cattle looked like, “What the hell is wrong with this woman?” Then she gives chase and scares them. The cattle should’ve whipped her ass. Let’s talk about the scene between Gerald and Rupert in a room. They discuss something, and then Rupert suggests Japanese-style wrestling. Okay? Strange, but I guess we roll with it. Then they stirp butt ass naked and have a wrestling match. You see that Rupert enjoys their closeness and says they should swear to love each other, but Gerald is like, I don’t swing that way, homie. In the next scene, Ursula and Rupert get married.
The two main stars of the film did a great job. Glenda Jackson as Gudrun Brangwen was the one to watch. Homegirl was strange but also independent. When homeboy tried to hit on her in the streets, she quickly told him she wasn’t about that. She also had that I want love but don’t believe in love personality. Jennie Linden as Ursula Brangwen was a great supporting character. She was the beautiful one but really didn’t say much in the film. She was the quiet sister who wanted to find love and passion.
As for the men, I don’t know what to say about them. Alan Bates as Rupert Birkin was strange. Dude was high, and when he frolicked through the field, I thought dude was on something. I will never look at a specific fruit the same ever again. Oliver Reed as Gerald Crich actually surprised me. It wasn’t that he was a complete jealous ass in this film or said a few words. It was because I just watched Oliver and saw him in that one.
Maybe I just view movies differently because this one was out there for me. I didn’t mind the talk about love and sex, but it felt like some characters were high, and others just wanted to be a goat in the field. The acting was okay, but several scenes will take the cake in this one. Watch it and make up your own mind about it.
