Kubrick's Heroes

Essay # 9956

Film > Analysis, Criticism, Etc.
Film > Artist

Kubrick's Heroes

A review of "Barry Lyndon" a film by Stanley Kubrick, emphasizing the direct conflict between the main character and the constraints of social organization.

1,704 words () | 13 sources | MLA | 1996 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the works of the director, Stanley Kubrick, in general, and the film, "Barry Lyndon" in particular. Background into Kubrick's films and audiences is highlighted, and comparisons are made to other films directed by Kubrick. The paper outlines the struggles that the main character, Barry Lyndon, faces on a daily basis. The writer illustrates how such struggles not only transform Kubrick's heroes into products of the era in which they live but also the times and conditions in which the film was made.

From the Paper:

"In order to understand the meaning behind one of Kubrick's films, one must first meet the director. He has a reputation of being meticulous in his use of detail and some critics view him as a unique artist who appeals to the audience's intellect. They say his films have a way--at least with some people of working on in the mind of passing through all the stages from imitation to exhilaration (Hoffsess 152). According to The Film Encyclopedia, however, Kubrick is a fussy, pretentious, unfeeling, and self indulgent film-maker who detaches himself from the characters in his movies (767). It has been argued that his detachment is a direct result of his skepticism about the rationale in mankind."