One of the reasons for me conducting this project was to see how much the films of a certain decade drew influence from their surroundings. To me it seems that a lot of the movies from the 1960s go back to the past rather than deal with issues in the present. That's why I found Darling rather refreshing as it gave a portrait of the Swingin' Sixties era of London as seen through the eyes of its protagonist Diana Scott. When we first meet Scott she is a bored young model trapped in a loveless marriage. Luckily she soon meets journalist Robert Gould and the two begin an affair leading to them becoming a trendy couple. Robert and Diana are soon part of London's fashionable elite however nothing is ever enough for Diana and she soon ends up in the bed of advertising executive Miles Glass. As Miles helps Diana's career soar, Robert becomes increasingly jealous and leaves Diana after she returns from a trip to Paris with Miles. Robert's rejection results in Diana questioning her life and considers becoming more religious during a trip to Rome. As Diana's star rises she decides to abandon her career and move to Italy for good as she takes one character up on their offer of marriage. However it remains to be seen if Diana can truly ever be happy.
I personally found Darling to be a great snapshot of life in London during the 1960s while Diana Scott was the perfect embodiment of that time. Here's a pretty girl who is often exploited by men and then wonders why she is never truly happy. In a lot of ways Darling felt a little bit like Alfie, as both are narrated by their lead characters and both end on a bit of a downer. The cinematography of Kenneth Higins and the editing of James Clark both contribute to portray a London where everything is constantly moving forward. Though the film is seemingly a collection of scenes, rather than a completed movie, I feel that John Schlesinger still packs in enough memorable moments to make the film stand out. However I feel Darling will mostly be remembered for the brilliant performance from Julie Christie who is able to portray a woman whose life is never as perfect as she makes out. Christie's Diana is someone who always believes that things will turn out okay and when they don't she wonders why. Christie, who won a Best Actress Award for her role, is ably supported by Dirk Bogarde as her loyal partner and Laurence Harvey as the smarmy advertising executive. While Darling is quite a light film I still enjoyed it thanks mostly to the lead performances and Schlesinger's assured direction. It also perfectly encapsulated the carefree mood of the 1960s and the dangers that lay beneath the surface.
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