Barrymore

Barrymore is a unique 2011 film that brilliantly captures the dramatic intensity resulting from an intersection of biographical filmmaking and stage acting. Renowned actor Christopher Plummer takes centre stage as he portrays the iconic role of John Barrymore. Director Erik Canuel aids in bringing to life the original stage production of the same name written by William Luce for the screen. Additionally, John Plumpis lends strong support in his role as Frank, the prompter.

The film is essentially a monodrama featuring the character of John Barrymore, a legendary actor of the early 20th century who belonged to the famous Barrymore family. While the family had a rich lineage of celebrated actors, John Barrymore himself was noted for his accomplished performances in Hamlet and Richard III, ultimately earning him the reputation of one of the era's finest Shakespearian actors. Unfortunately, his later life was marked by a sharp decline into alcoholism and an inability to maintain the same level of performance.

The film, Barrymore presents a fictional portrayal set in 1942 during the last months of the actor’s life. It showcases John Barrymore at a point of reminiscence about his life and career whilst grappling with the personal struggle of trying to make a triumphant return to theatre to regain his status and relive his glory days. Still, the twilight of his life is marked by an inconsistent memory, the lingering specter of alcoholism, and the undeniable challenge of finding his footing in the once familiar playground of the stage. Christopher Plummer plays this role brilliantly, channeling the characters complexity and emotional depth, thereby showcasing a personal tour-de-force acting performance.

Throughout the movie, Barrymore attempts to rehearse and revive his 1920 stage triumph as Richard III. In order to do so, he rents a theatre to rehearse and hires Frank to help him remember his lines. The hired prompter remains unseen for most of the film but lends significant weight to Barrymore's rehearsed revivals. During the rehearsal, he frivolously drifts between playing Shakespeare’s Richard III and the manifestation of his own life recollections, which adds a layer of complexity to the film’s narrative.

The film is a pastiche of memory, imagination, fantasy, vaudeville and drama, littered with Barrymore's reflections and anecdotes about his family, past performances, and infamous exploits. Despite narrating the anguished side of the actor’s life, there's levity and humor infused in Barrymore’s account of his own tragedies, which makes for a profoundly touching tribute interlaced with moments of light-hearted relief.

Christopher Plummer channels the full range of Barrymore's larger-than-life personality, capturing his charm, wit, vulnerability, and self-deprecation. The portrayal earned Plummer a well-deserved Tony Award for his performance in the original stage production, reinforcing his mastery in embodying this role. John Plumpis, in his unconventionally compelling role of Frank, brings a unique presence and strong anchoring of the film’s narrative.

Director Erik Canuel presents Barrymore as a compelling showcase of the trials and tribulations of a legendary actor in his twilight years who is trying to reconcile with his former glory. Canuel brilliantly leverages the visual medium, introducing an element of stage-like performance. He does an amazing job of maintaining the balance between cinematic and theatrical familiarity, thereby condensing and effectively adapting a stage production into a feature film that captivates the audience.

The film, while portraying the turmoil and humor of Barrymore, also offers a deeper exploration into the trials of artistic struggle, achievement, and the unfortunate downfall of it. The central premise of the film remains not just bringing life to Barrymore's character but also encapsulating his struggles of trying to remember and to perform, hence providing a beautiful mixture of reality and stage performance, loss, and victory, life, and art.

In conclusion, Barrymore is a profound viewing experience that explores the life of an iconic figure delicately balanced at the precipice of theatre and life, ambition and downfall, tragedy and comedy. Plummer’s mesmerizing performance constitutes an outstanding piece of acting and a masterclass in the very craft that Barrymore, the celebrated actor, had dedicated his life to.