Orpheus Descending (1990)

A drifter (Kevin Anderson) comes to a small Southern town where he reluctantly takes a job as a clerk in a store where he begins a relationship with the Sicilian wife (Vanessa Redgrave) of the store's owner (Brad Sullivan). Based on the play by Tennessee Williams and directed by Peter Hall (THREE INTO TWO WON'T GO). Williams' play has always been problematic and I think it's just not Williams at his best. The play was first written in 1940 under the title of BATTLE OF ANGELS but he rewrote it and it debuted on Broadway under its new title in 1957 and it flopped. Still, it was adapted as a movie in 1959 under the title THE FUGITIVE KIND and that flopped too. This version is based on the 1989 Broadway revival directed by Hall with Redgrave, Anderson and Sullivan recreating their stage roles. The Southern Gothic play just doesn't work! Still, it has a powerhouse performance by Redgrave that should be seen (even if her Italian accent is a bit wonky). She infuses life into a floundering piece of hysterical substandard Tennessee Williams. There's also a nice supporting turn by Anne Twomey as a "lewd vagrant". Anderson's performance is erratic. Strong in some scenes, a cipher in others. With Miriam Margolyes and Sloane Shelton.