Plenty 1985

     This film is adapted from a stage play which first opened in 1978.  The film spans 20 years from 1940 to 1960.  Susan Traherne worked during WWII as a Resistance fighter.  Because of her experiences, she sets out to make her life the way she wants it, no matter who gets hurt.  She works jobs in the business and diplomatic fields.  She marries diplomat Raymond Brock after she tries and fails to have a child with another partner.  She is happy in the beginning but her marriage cools and she suffers an emotional decline.  Her husband would like her to use medication to take the edge off her emotions and provide a calming effect.  In the background of Susan’s life, there are events of crisis happening in the world.  Problems with the Suez Canal and developments in the Middle East. 

     Susan was changed by the war and she feels her life never seems to reach that high point again.  She had high expectations for a life of sunny days.  She can’t forget meeting Lazar when he parachuted into her life for a short time.  I found it a little difficult to keep the scenes in chronological order.  Especially just before the ending scene, is it back to the beginning like the ending scene or a later time?  3* (This movie is OK)

121 min, Drama directed by Fred Schepisi with Meryl Streep, Sam Neill, Charles Dance, Tracey Ullman, John Gielgud, Sting, Ian McKellen, Burt Kwouk, Andre Maranne, Pik Sen Lim, Ian Wallace, Tristram Jellinek.

Note:  Imdb 6.1 out of 10, 71% critic 52% critic on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3 ½*.

Special Note.  Meryl Streep does a wonderful job as she usually does in her roles.  You feel like you know Susan and is a real person.  I would like to watch this again for a better perspective on the events.