Darling

It's that time of year when I go into the Way-Back Machine and look at the promiment films of fifty years ago, starting with the Best Picture Oscar nominees. I start with Darling, directed by John Schlesinger, one of the quintessential films that characterized the "Mod British film."

Darling stars Julie Christie, who won Best Actress that year, as a model who moves between men. It might have been daring in its day, even scandalizing, as it has a couple living in sin, obliquely refers to abortion, and, I think, cunnilingus. But it is horribly dated today, and while Christie is technically very good, the character is a mess and not very interesting. It's a curiosity, not a classic.

Christie is Diana Scott. She is telling her story in flashback, as a large billboard featuring her face goes up, covering up one that advertises a charity for starving African children. She is is one of those hip young Londoners who are into fashion and trends, and she's interviewed in a man-on-the-street style by a TV announcer, Dirk Bogarde. Before you know it they're in love, and each leave their spouse. They don't marry, though.

Christie becomes a top model, pushed by advertising executive and playboy (Laurence Harvey). She begins an affair with him, saying all the while that she doesn't want to hurt Bogarde, but of course she does. Later she will marry an Italian prince, but really wants Bogarde, who still wants her but values his integrity more. She goes back to the Prince and her life as a socialite.

I didn't like much about this film, except the stark black and white photography and the costumes, which won an Academy Award. "How can someone so shallow and trivial cause so much pain?" Bogarde asks of Christie, and there lies the problem: she is shallow and trivial, and not worth wasting two hours on. Again, I imagine this was cutting edge at the time, but today it's a yawn.

There were many British films like this during the '60s, including Alfie, which would come the next year, which chronicled the shocking amorality of swinging London. Alfie holds up today, but Darling should be relegated to a museum.