Intro"The Moon and Sixpence" is a 1959 movie directed by Robert Mulligan based on the 1919 novel by W. Somerset Maugham. It tells the story of Charles Strickland, a middle-aged British stockbroker who abandons his family and predictable life to pursue his desire to end up being an artist, eventually bring up on the styles of sacrifice for enthusiasm, artistic obsession, and the moral repercussions of personal flexibility.
The PlotCharles Strickland, portrayed by Laurence Olivier, leaves his loving wife and 2 children in London quickly, without description, to reside in Paris and devote his life to painting. His friend and former broker associate, Dirk Stroeve, learns more about his escape and travels to France to persuade him to return, however to no obtain. Strickland, absorbed in his creative pursuit, pays little observe to individual relationships or social norms.
In his pursuit for an easy life that can allow him to paint, Strickland ends up living in hardship, up until he discovers shelter with Dirk and his charming wife, Blanche. Unfortunately, Strickland's impassioned dedication to his creativity fuels a terrible event when Blanche falls obsessively in love with him, and the outcome drives a wedge in between Strickland and Dirk. Fueled by ruthless passion, Strickland continues his journey, ultimately transferring to Tahiti where he remarries and produces his finest work.
Characters and PerformancesLaurence Olivier provides a compelling efficiency as Charles Strickland, successfully portraying the character's impassive indifference to everything however his art. His portrayal of a male who selfishly drives himself and individuals around him to despair in his quest for artistic fulfillment is extensive. The character of Blanche, played by Judith Anderson, supplies a plain contrast with her psychological outpouring towards Strickland. Anderson's performance makes the tragic repercussions of her love for Strickland wholehearted.
Creative Representation and Themes"The Moon and Sixpence" is visually spectacular, primarily making up plain shots that function as a metaphor to Strickland's severe worldview. The movie draws on unrelenting self-devotion and pursuit of art, implying that genius constantly comes at the horrible price of human pain, eventually portraying Strickland's life of pure self-fulfilment as a plain and lonesome one.
Offering a morally intricate viewpoint on art and an artist's life, the film explores concerns like whether deserting individual responsibilities and relationships for art is morally justified. This is mainly presented through the character arc of Strickland, who abandons his social commitments and familial bonds to pursue his painting passion, starting discomfort and suffering while doing so.
Conclusion"The Moon and Sixpence" is a psychodrama that exposes the truth of a ruthless creative drive. The movie is remarkable and thought-provoking, taking a look at the lines between genius and inhumanity. Olivier's performance stands apart, embodying Strickland's devoted and self-destructive character convincingly. Mulligan's rendition of Maugham's unique successfully equates the intense philosophical ideas onto the cinema, leaving audiences considering over the price of real artistry.
Top Cast
