The article discusses the exploration of Richard Burton's complicated life in Pedro Almodovar's film 'The Room Next Door,' particularly focusing on Burton's relationships, notably with his mentor Philip Burton. The movie paints a vivid picture of Burton's journey from a miner's son to a prominent stage actor, depicting the emotional struggles between pride, shame, and dysfunction. It touches on historical controversies, like his father's guardianship relinquishment, and showcases Burton's relationship with Elizabeth Taylor through the lens of artistic interpretation, emphasizing its underlying tensions and complexities.
In Pedro Almodovar's latest movie The Room Next Door, Julianne Moore's character is even shown reading Erotic Vagrancy, Roger Lewis's account of Burton's then-adulterous relationship with Elizabeth Taylor in the early 60s.
It's the subject of this heartfelt, vigorously acted, enjoyable, if slightly naive movie from screenwriters Tom Bullough and Josh Hyams, and director Marc Evans.
It tells a uniquely painful and dysfunctional story, and does its best to show how Burton's pride always coexisted with shame and self-hate.
The film also takes up the disputed claim that Richard's boozy and negligent dad only relinquished legal guardianship to Mr Burton in return for the teacher's cash payment.
Collection
[
|
...
]