Burton and Taylor

Burton and Taylor is a captivating 2013 British made-for-television biographic drama that casts a detailed look into the tempestuous relationship between two of Hollywood's most iconic figures, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. The movie is a production of BBC Four and was broadcasted in the United States on BBC America. Headlining its star-studded cast are two stellar performers: Dominic West and Helena Bonham Carter in the lead roles, portraying Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor respectively, together with Greg Hicks featuring in a supporting role.

The film's plot orbits around a very specific time of Burton and Taylor's stormy relationship, specifically focusing in the year 1983, when their on-and-off love affair was already well-known to, and sensationalized by, the public and the press. It was a period that saw them unite, albeit briefly, not off-screen but on stage, for a professional revival of Noël Coward's classic play, Private Lives, on Broadway. Private Lives is an ironic commentary on the turbulent landscape of love and marriage; a fitting choice for Burton and Taylor, who in real life, had married and divorced each other twice by this time.

Burton and Taylor delves deep into the dynamics of their relationship—their unwavering connection, their intense attraction, and their destructive co-dependency. The movie is not just about their shared history and the spectacle of their relationship but also about their individual battles. While it tracks their professional journey set against the backdrop of the motive to revive their acting careers, the narrative also subtly handles their personal struggles with alcoholism and drug dependency.

Dominic West delivers an astute performance as Richard Burton and vividly captures the multifaceted demeanor of the man: a cultivated, charming, and emotionally fluent actor who was also vulnerable, complicated, and humanely flawed in so many ways. West brilliantly maps out Burton's struggle with his damaging addiction to alcohol and his unrequited love for Taylor.

Helena Bonham Carter, as Elizabeth Taylor, is a revelation. Carter offers a nuanced portrayal of the legendary actress, beautifully channeling her flamboyance, volatility, and emotional artistry. She flawlessly captures Taylor's habit of blurring the boundaries between fiction and reality, her commanding stage presence, and yet, beneath it all, the fragile complexities of a woman trapped in the prison of her own persona, battling alcoholism and loneliness.

Greg Hicks lends his admirable talent to the film, offering a fine performance in a supporting role that enriches the narrative's landscape.

The film is directed by Richard Laxton who ensures that the narrative stays faithful to the historical period it represents and retains its authenticity. William Ivory’s well-researched script makes sure that the narrative remains engaging without scandalizing the characters or their relationship. Through well-constructed sequences, the script delivers several intense, emotional scenes that brilliantly encapsulate Taylor and Burton's tumultuous relationship dynamics.

Laced with beautiful cinematography, the film is as visually appealing as it is substantial in content. It revisits the 1980s glamor, embodying the styles, aesthetics, and cultural undercurrents of the time, effectively setting the stage for the unfolding human drama.

However, the movie is not all about the melodrama and the spectacle, it echoes the sentiments of loss, longing, and melancholy. It is, unexpectedly, a poignant tale of two individuals trying to grapple with their individual and shared past while attempting to reclaim their present. At its core, Burton and Taylor is a haunting biographical sketch of two movie legends who were bigger than life itself, and yet unmistakably human.

With its captivating principal performances, insightful script, and commendable direction, Burton and Taylor goes far beyond just being a biographic rendering of two Hollywood legends. It strikes a chord as it attempts to encapsulate the psyche of the two larger-than-life personalities. The film is a fine mesh of compelling performances and impactful storytelling, serving as a brilliant rendition of late twentieth-century Hollywood, viewed through the prism of two of its most vital components.

In conclusion, Burton and Taylor is not just a chronicle of the legendary actors; it is an intimate portrayal of two real, flawed individuals underneath the stardom, making it a must-watch for fans of biographies, drama, and of course, for admirers of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.