Vivien Leigh: Scarlett and Beyond

A most unsatisfying documentary. Biggest problem is it's too damn short! Forty five minutes is just not enough time to deal with arguably the greatest English language film/theatre actress of the first half of the twentieth century. I mean you could easily devote an hour to her dysfunctional marriage to arguably the greatest English language film/theatre actor of the first half of the twentieth century. And another hour to the making of her two greatest movie roles. And a third hour to her mental/physical travails.

And speaking of Leigh and Olivier I did not much care for the general "poor, put upon Larry" thrust of the documentary, especially considering that the guy was consistently callous toward her, refusing to cast her in "Hamlet" because she was too old for Ophelia (he wasn't exactly a spring chicken as Hamlet, now was he?) and "The Entertainer" because she was too good looking. This condescension is particularly galling when you consider the fact that she was every bit as talented as he was, if not better when you realize the emotional demons with which she struggled.

I also could have done without narrator Jessica Lange's breathy, hushed tones of adoration. And those cheesy background sets whenever Lange is on screen remind one of junior college drama class productions.

Bottom line: Ms. Leigh remains a subject in search of a decent documentary. Give this one a C.

PS...Top five Leigh film performances:

5) Waterloo Bridge 4) Ship Of Fools 3) Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone 2) GWTW 1) Streetcar.