BURTON AND TAYLOR

UK, 2013, 90 minutes, Colour.
Dominic West, Helena Bonham Carter.
Directed by Richard Laxton.

Burton and Taylor is a British telemovie, relying on memories of those who were interested in the couple, the headlines, the scandals, their films. Whether it is a good introduction to audiences not familiar with the couple is a moot question.

The film takes place in 1983 when Elizabeth Taylor had the idea that she should perform on Broadway, in Noel Coward’s Private Lives, and star with Richard Burton. She had not even read the play. Burton agreed, at this stage of his life partnered with the British Suzy Hunt whom he marries during the run of the play in a secret ceremony in Las Vegas.

Which indicates that Elizabeth Taylor really loved Burton and he her, but it was impossible for them to live together despite the two marriage attempts.

Dominic West has the gravity of Burton, impersonating him well, bringing to life the talented actor who, in some ways, had squandered his talent on mediocre films and plays but was still regarded as a superior actor. The performance also indicates Burton’s love for Elizabeth Taylor, aspects of their life together, their extravagance, the jewellery, the drinking, the squabbles – but their inability to live with any compatibility together. Helena Bonham Carter looks something like Elizabeth Taylor, imitates her manner, emphasising some of the obtuseness and the slatternly Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf slightly style of Taylor as well as her ability to act.

While Taylor is obsessed with Burton, she is also obsessed with her power in the entertainment industry, controlling the play, the director, the cast, Burton himself, sometimes drinking, playing to the audience, performing on stage and off.

Something of an opportunity to learn something of Burton and Taylor.

1. Audience interest in Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor? Celebrities of the past? Their marriages? Love and clashes? Their films together?

2. The title, the impersonations and performances by Dominic West and Helena Bonham Carter?

3. 20 years after the headlines? From the 60s to the 80s? Their marriages? Life and style? Affluence, the diamonds? Alcoholism? The episode a short
time before Richard Burton’s death, Elizabeth Taylor going to the Betty Ford Foundation?

4. The episode, the performance and a Noel Coward play, on Broadway? For Burton? The challenge for Elizabeth Taylor? The popularity with audiences? The critics being negative? The experience for both?

5. The opening press conference, Elizabeth Taylor and her snide remarks, the clash, the show? Burton uncomfortable?

6. Elizabeth Taylor’s idea, and not reading the play, the reasons? Her wanting to be with Richard Burton, a continuing love him, yet her love for power over him, performing on and off the stage?

7. Richard Burton, his age, his relationship with Susan Hunt, his career, drinking, his reputation, his skill and acting, the acclaim, serious-minded, yet the relationship with Elizabeth Taylor?

8. Elizabeth Taylor at 50, her reputation, career, being in film and on-stage immersed in her character, Burton’s example of the scene from Cleopatra?

9. The rehearsals, her arriving late, the performance, the director, his reputation, the cast, the response to Taylor? Not having read the play, her awkwardness, finding the place? Burton and his disgust with her? The progress, her being tiresome, the test for her?

10. The relationship, Richard Burton and his partner, going to Las Vegas, the wedding, not telling the press, not telling Elizabeth Taylor? The peacefulness with his new wife? Yet the love and fascination for Elizabeth, meetings, drinks, talking, staying the night, reminiscences? Restaurant outings, the clashes? Her exercise of power, yet her obsession with him? The impossibility for them to be together?

11. The performances, the costumes, the assistant and the clash with Burton? The critics? Elizabeth drinking, on an off with her performances, playing to the audience, the applause? Her moods, being sick, the box office going down, her return?

12. Noel Coward, the lines, the wit, the references to Sybil – and Burton’s first wife as Sybil – style, mannered?

13. An experience of Burton and Taylor for the audience, deeper than the gossip items? The pathos of Burton’s death soon after?