Even a movie that doesn't purport to get to the meat and potatoes of its subject needs to give a frame of reference. The shift between Iris and John's "old" and "young" selves was maddening. Did they just leap over middle age? I imagine they had many adventures, adventures that would've helped us understand what made them tick.
I can see why Iris was attracted to the novelty of being with John: he's a sweet puppy, someone you'd take to Mom. But he's not a serious affair and certainly not a life partner. Indeed, his willingness to be her doormat is such that his outbursts come off as forced, as if Eyre suddenly realized that John was in serious danger of becoming a martyr.
But Eyre wimps out with Iris's relationships with Maurice and Janet. The second we see him, we know Maurice is a gay man who "switch hits" with Iris, hence, his viciousness when she unexpectedly brings John along for dinner. Yet while John seems clueless about Maurice, he is quite accepting of Janet, either because she is a woman or he expects Iris to shag whomever.
And why does she cheat? Is what attracts her to John the same thing that repels her? Is fidelity a concept that she has rejected as Man's imposed will on Woman? Is she amoral? Or is he just lousy in the sack? Your guess is as good as mine.
As far as the acting, what do you expect from Dame Judi and Kate Winslet? Too bad they didn't have anything real to work with.
I can see why Iris was attracted to the novelty of being with John: he's a sweet puppy, someone you'd take to Mom. But he's not a serious affair and certainly not a life partner. Indeed, his willingness to be her doormat is such that his outbursts come off as forced, as if Eyre suddenly realized that John was in serious danger of becoming a martyr.
But Eyre wimps out with Iris's relationships with Maurice and Janet. The second we see him, we know Maurice is a gay man who "switch hits" with Iris, hence, his viciousness when she unexpectedly brings John along for dinner. Yet while John seems clueless about Maurice, he is quite accepting of Janet, either because she is a woman or he expects Iris to shag whomever.
And why does she cheat? Is what attracts her to John the same thing that repels her? Is fidelity a concept that she has rejected as Man's imposed will on Woman? Is she amoral? Or is he just lousy in the sack? Your guess is as good as mine.
As far as the acting, what do you expect from Dame Judi and Kate Winslet? Too bad they didn't have anything real to work with.