Butley (1974)

A bisexual literature professor by the name of Ben Butley (Alan Bates recreating his stage role) is descending into alcoholism and self destruction. His wife (Susan Engel) has left him and his male lover (Richard O'Callaghan) is about to leave him, too. Based on the play by Simon Gray and directed by playwright Harold Pinter (THE BIRTHDAY PARTY). Except for a brief opening sequence with Bates struggling to shave, Pinter keeps BUTLEY's theatrical roots intact and the film takes place entirely in Butley's office. I'll concede that it's well written and well acted but the character of Butley is an unpleasant, self pitying bully and what is supposed to be wit (at least Gray thinks it is) is just plain bitchiness. And we have to spend more than two hours enduring his nastiness and I couldn't help but think, "Why are people putting up with this?". Well, they're putting up with it because it's a theatrical artifice and if no one was there to be abused, there would be no play. It leaves a sour taste in one's mouth but if you enjoy good acting, there's some compensation. I must say that the play's attitude toward homosexuality seems rather quaint by 2024 standards. With Jessica Tandy, Georgina Hale, Michael Byrne and Simon Rouse.