The Lion in Winter

I probably wouldn’t have given this a second glance if it weren’t for the sheer star power of Katharine Hepburn, and what a force she is. Her delivery is razor-sharp, commanding every scene with intelligence and fire. But she’s not alone: the cast is stacked, and no one falls short, especially Peter O’Toole, who matches her blow for blow. Yes, the film runs a bit long and the plot can get tedious, but the verbal sparring and ensemble chemistry make it worth every minute. A powerhouse showcase of acting at its finest.

I thought Becket (1964) was better.

_The Lion in Winter_ is an Oscar winning character drama based on an acclaimed stage play. England’s King Henry II hosts a Christmas court to welcome France’s King Philip, and uses the occasion to pit his wife and sons against each other in an effort to choose his heir. Starring Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins, and Timothy Dalton, the film has quite an impressive cast that delivers strong performances (securing Hepburn a third Oscar). However, as intriguing as all the political maneuvering and family infighting is, it can get a bit bogged down in all the long stretches of dialog. Still, the sets and costumes are incredibly well-done, and composer John Barry provides a remarkably effective score (and an Oscar winning one too). It’s a little overly melodramatic at times, but overall _The Lion in Winter_ is a captivating film.

How many different ways can you say the same thing? Watch this movie for two plus hours and find out.

This movie is conscious torture. It won an Oscar?! Really?! I'm in the middle of chronological historical watchlist and this is so much worse than the other movies in my list that I can't finish it. No characters are likable and the acting is B-movie level bad. The cinematography is awful too. I should've stopped watching after the ridiculous faces they were making in the swordfight in the beginning of the film, but I decided to keep watching because of the 74% rating this has. I sincerely regret my choice. It just gets worse, especially with the story. Always trust your gut.