Courtesy: themoviedb.org
‘Woman of Straw’ (1964) Film Review
What to do with a family that promotes such malfeasance in human form? What to make of a character that is obnoxiously rich, and enjoys the downpour of his earnings power in the twilight of his corporal experience by being a dirty bastard towards his help? To make such obscene gestures with regards to the slavishness of the African race as he has the at-will power to be rude – as if this is the standard for occupying a superior position on Earth?
In tow with such a personality is the charmingly sly deceiver in his nephew. Sean Connery plays a terrific playboy, who has that tantalizingly seductive appeal, and uses it to his selfish advantages. It is in this self-awareness that he stages an outstanding example of the liar with a thrilling demonstration of what lies do to humankind.
Anthony Richmond is weak. That is not apparent to the film-viewer, who is likely draped in the luscious details of luxury. But it is that principled motion which begets such opportunities at fortunate pleasures – of appearing handsome – that the film moves the viewer to examine. I sincerely admire Mr. Connery’s choice in this character, who is bluntly speaking, ugly inside.
The Liar is one who is too effete to command his own authority onto contending with his Uncle for fortune. Instead, he jockeys himself, like a suckling pig, to the teet of the power to set sail to Mallorca at-will. As if this is best experience: to do what one pleases.
He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
And yet this is what the ignorant desires! This is the effecting of so much will power, so much nervous system responsiveness, towards the boon of industrial society – and all of its commercial prospecting opportunities.
With the insatiable desire for more luxuy and independence, the charming liar pulls a stunt on everyone – and particularly a young attractive nurse who is lulled under his conniving spell to achieve his worldly ambitions of never having to work. The “deceiving idler” physically wills the story and the players in tow towards wasted air. Particularly when it comes to binding contracts, like the rights of possession of the bastard’s estate upon his death.
It is here where the court rule system is appropriately exposed for its limitations. That a liar can be so well rehearsed in his deceits, because he knows that what is put on record is what actually matters to the ordering facts of his British Civilized State, yet he foolishly mistakes the appearance of dumb servants in his masterplotting, in an end which is worth the enjoyment of the deceit’s full frontal exposure.
It is, however, in the character study of such a con artist, to be so presently calculating, to be so calmly patterned, in twisting emotions unto the feeling of true pleasure, true happiness, true goodness in the anticipated heirlooms that ought to awaken a soul to realize mutual justice has more pain than padded cocooned comfort in experiencing the best of the world. In this acknowledgment, the world to come may appear sooner rather than later for all subjective souls in their striving for best.
By this Bountiful spirit of Thine, O Mazda, Thou hast assigned all that is best to the good; But far from Thy Grace shall the evil have his portion, The Liar, abiding, by his own deeds, in the home of the Evil Mind.