Darling (1965) – Power of the performances aged well (4K UHD Review)

A classic review for the 4K restoration of the 1965 film Darling – directed by John Schlesinger.

Film director, John Schlesinger came to prominence to British film during the reputable period of angry young men/working class pictures of the early 1960s.His entry into that film was memorably Billy Liar which starred Tom Courtenay and a young Julie Christie.

Christie reunited with Schlesinger to make the 1965 film, Darling.

The film is celebrating a 4K restoration release from StudioCanal, to be released in cinemas at the end of May followed by a Home Entertainment UHD release.

Darling tells the story of starlet, Diana Scott (Christie), a young female plucked from obscurity as a camera crew wanders the streets and spot her.

The interviewer is Robert (played by Dirk Bogarde), their infatuation leads to an illicit affair leading to Robert leaving his wife and children, and she leaving her boring husband.

Scott continues throughout the film going from man to man seeking affection and comfort while maintaining her strive for ambition. One such encounter is Miles (Laurence Harvey), a PR man for a huge corporation and a homosexual.

A film made during the height of swinging 60s London to include such a prominent figure was challenging and risqué; the film is also not afraid to show that Miles’ friends are the counter-culture full of moral ambiguity.

One party scene, Diana is openly mocked but she is unaware of the cruel joke being played on her – her naivety is there frequently and yet her earnestness keeps leading her into new adventures. She hopes to be expressive in her art and work, and yet she is not valued at all. Ultimately, she ends up married to an Italian aristocrat devoid of emotion and all her hope and spirit removed.

There is an air of elitism running through the film with people looking down their noses at those seemingly beneath them; especially the class who have ambitions to punch above their standing.

In the early part of the 20th century, this film was derided for this pomposity and yet watching it now in this influencer age there are messages of the film that ring true more so now.

Julie Christie won Best Actress at the Academy awards garnering world acclaim and a career beyond these British Isles, she illuminates in this film much like Elizabeth Taylor in Butterfield 8. There is even a recurring motif of notes being left on a mirror recalling Taylor’s own Oscar winning performance.

There is a moral ambiguity that runs through the film where people like the company of others but actually cannot stand the sight of them. Along with a seemingly fearlessness to embrace the new or other, and yet being wary of it nonetheless.

For a film that is sometimes derided, it is one that now retains some merit through the power of performances ageing so well.

Darling will release in cinemas end of May to celebrate the 60th anniversary, for physical media release in 4K UHD/Blu-Ray will be from 16th June.