BARRY LYNDON got a muted response in my Kubrick class. In terms of enthusiasm, the air is going out of the ballon where my students are concerned. They have almost no patience for anything "slow." LYNDON and 2001 were real chores for them. This disturbs me.
I remember seeing BARRY LYNDON by myself at a noon show at the AMC Century City back when I was an undergrad. I enjoyed it, was intrigued by it. I didn't find it particularly slow or difficult. Things have changed.
What I didn't account for is the popularity with my students of FULL METAL JACKET. That was the film I heard about most when I asked at the beginning of the class what their favorite Kubrick film was. That's weird to me.
I guess it is fortunate that just as SK's filmography has pushed them to the breaking point, now all we have left are the more accessible films. THE SHINING, FMJ, and EYES WIDE SHUT.
