"Regina Roma" is a film which looks much like a play, as the entirety of the story takes place in a home...and mostly in the living room. It also has a small cast of four and in style it sure looks like "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?". It also seems like it as well, as during the course of the story, you see just how screwed up these four people are...and it's pretty painful to watch (which is why I am not a fan of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"). But before the pain sets in, the film is quite slow...so much so I had a hard time sticking with it...and it then morphed into the Christmas from Hell!
This film marks the final big screen appearance by Ava Gardner. Her co-star is Anthony Quinn. Both are good with what they are given. But the script is slow, depressing and claustrophobia-inducing. In other words, it's NOT a pleasant movie to watch.
Plot summary
An aging couple search for peace and family harmony when their only son returns home after a long absence with his fiancee.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
March 01, 2021 at 07:08 AM
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Gardner's final big screen film.
Tony and Ava a little else
If you think you might be watching a production of Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf
I couldn't blame you. It's what instantly hit me looking Regina Roma with Ava
Gardner and Anthony Quinn, the Martha and George of this piece.
Maybe seeing what Virignia Woolf did for Elizabeth Taylor's career convinced Ava
to sign on for this four character drama. She and Tony are great, but the rest of
the film is strictly ho-hum.
Tony and Ava are awaiting the arrival of their son Ray Sharkey only Sharkey is
bringing Anna Karina and he announces their engagement.
In less than 90 minutes all the family secrets get aired. Just like Virginia Woolf.
The production values are strictly from Hollywood Poverty row days. Virginia
Woolf is a mostly talk in the living room, but the sets were top rate. Here the
cheapness of production is very apparent.
Fans of Tony and Ava should see this. Others take it or leave it.
A family tale: Over dominated husband and son with no way out to escape
Brilliant actors in a play of three and a mute - simply watching forth person. Ava Gardner is on top, playing with persuasion and great skill the over dominant Italian I think, mother. She uses all tricks and lies to have her husband and son on her hand. She wants to be the only person in their lives, and that turns to be an absolute catastrophe to their day routine. The drama reaches it's pick when she rejects his son's fiancé as improper for him, accusing her that she's a prostitute! All action takes place in the living-room with Anna Karina (fiancé) watching dumbfounded, Anthony Quinn (husband) accusing her all the time, and the son begging her to stay with them - not to abandon them! Really an opportunity for Ava Gardner's big talent in dramatic, theatrical roles. I consider that her beauty apart, Ava Gardner was a great actress - equal to Liz Taylor.