Peter O’Toole was nominated Best Supporting Actor for this one and it’s easy to see why.
The only thing I really knew about this movie before watching it was that Peter O’Toole’s character was somehow involved with a girl of about 19. This did not intrigue me. This kind of turned me off.
It was handled in an interesting way. She has a fair amount of control in this relationship. She’s calling the shots. He’s dealing with growing older, facing his failing health, and his death. He’s reaching out as a last stab at relating to youth. Wait. Maybe that’s exactly what you’d expect from a movie with a MayFebruary/December romance.
O’Toole does a great job, especially at playing an aging actor who quotes Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets to a girl who’s only interest is herself. And his voice is so warm at this stage in the game, it really is a pleasure.
