Stevie

As another reviewer has said, this film is talky. Talky like a good Shakespeare play is talky, in my opinion. Glenda Jackson reading Stevie Smith's poetry on screen. Works for me. The film contains "four of the finest actors Britain has produced", says a reviewer. You don't suppose such high caliber actors know what is good material and what is not worth their time, do you? This film is a treasure. No CGI special effects, but you won't miss them. It is just an exploration of a poets life. A wonderful life, well lived. A wonderful film, well acted. Glenda Jackson as Stevie takes the viewer on a journey through the life of poet, Stevie Smith. Glenda breaths life into the incidents of Stevie's life with her great skill as an actress. And Mona Washbourne as Stevie's "Lion" Aunt, is no less that just perfect.

I was most fortunate to have seen the original London production of Stevie, which was a landmark experience for me: my first London play, my introduction to the highly individual poetry of Stevie Smith and my one chance to see Glenda Jackson live. As for the film, I cherish my copy of it. While I admit it isn't very cinematic, it is a delight for lovers of the language, as Jackson and Washburn banter, and watching Glenda Jackson work is a delight. Highly recommended.

Literate, lovely, sad film about the British poet/writer Stevie Smith with splendid performances by Glenda Jackson as Stevie and Mona Washbourne as the "lion aunt." Stagy, yes, but filled with love and wit and great wisdom.

The narrative follows the adult years of the eccentric poet in her suburban London home she shares with her aunt. Her workaday like is a background to her domestic life with flashbacks of school, a failed love, and death ... a major theme in her writing.

But rather than being gloomy, the film points out the joys of a life even if unfulfilled by husband and children. Jackson enacts many of Stevie's poems as a counterpoint to her own life, and she is quite superb.

Mona Washbourne is excellent and endearing as the aging aunt who really doesn't understand the Bohemian life of her gifted niece. Yet they have a wonderful life together. The domestic scenes of the simple joys of conversation and good sherry are wondrous.

Alec McCowen is the lost suitor. Trevor Howard is the narrator who wanders through the story.

A pity this is not available on DVD. A lovely film for the intelligent viewer.

This is a wonderful film. It is not perfect; not many man-made artifacts are. However, if you have seen any film of Stevie Smith, you will realise how well Glenda Jackson captures her spirit, and especially her appearance. The claustrophobic scenes (mostly in the living-room of her very ordinary house) enhance this impression. The music and the interspersed commentary by Trevor Howard detach us from the story so we can be objective. Yes, it is sad; anyone who reads Smith's poetry knows it is sad, macabre and eccentric. The only real drawback is Mona Washbourne's portrayal of the aunt, not apparently true to life. Shame, as she is the warmest of the characters in the film. I only wish they would release it on dvd as video does not do it justice.

Reading the reviews and feeling like I feel, I want to keep this film alive by adding a comment here.

I saw this years ago and never forgot it. I was (and am) a Glenda Jackson fan - although we are both of age now. The story of Stevie Smith was new to me at the time. What a wonderful way to get to know her writings ! It blew me way. I've read much of her since thanks to this film. I found it sublime. Much thanks to Mona Washburn and Trevor Howard (both died in 1988), but mostly to Glenda Jackson. I wish I could see it again. Can anybody show me where to get it ? Dl or otherwise. I'm grateful that I have the vinyl LP so I can listen to it from time to time :)