The Classics Corner: "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie"
Rachel Thuro
Welcome back to the second edition of The Classics Corner, brought to you by The Screening Log's Rachel Thuro. Last week, Rachel took a look at 1971's "The Omega Man," starring Charlton Heston, and discussed whether the film stood the test of time. This week, she analyses "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" from 1969, a drama directed by Ronald Neame and starring Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens, among others. Enjoy!
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)
The plot: Jean Brodie is a free-spirited teacher at an all girls’ school in 1930s Edinburgh, where she takes four particular girls under her wing to nurture them into cultured young ladies. However, the powers that be do not approve of Miss Brodie’s liberated lifestyle and the influence she has over the naive group of girls.
Modern thoughts on a classic movie: Though slightly dated, the film shines due to the brilliant performance by Maggie Smith as the titular character. It would have been easy to make Jean Brodie a strictly one-dimensional caricature that one could easily write off as “crazy.” However, Smith’s performance gives the viewer layer upon layer to peel away, making Miss Brodie very complex, and indeed equally fascinating. She is far from the stereotypical schoolmarm the modern viewer envisions when thinking of teachers from the 1930s. She instills a sense of feminine pride in the beginning, but seamlessly spirals into a delusional reject as the story progresses.
Another noteworthy performance is that of Pamela Franklin as Sandy, one of Miss Brodie’s chosen girls. The film begins with all of Miss Brodie’s girls at the age of 12, and ends when they are about to graduate at 18. Franklin’s performance is truly astounding, as she convincingly portrays her character’s age at both opposite ends. To think the same actress played a character at these two very separate stages in life is mind-boggling. It felt almost like watching a child grow right before your eyes.
The story is also very interesting, holding one’s attention with such ease that the film flies by without notice. With such rich characters and stirring performances, one can’t help but to get lost in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie."
The final word: Does it stand the test of time? Absolutely. As a matter of fact, the 2003 film "Mona Lisa Smile" is almost a rehash of Jean Brodie in many aspects, so the story can easily be told and retold for years to come. Whether other such films will possess the fine acting and character development of Jean Brodie is another story, but it’s doubtful they ever will.
Reader Comments (3)
I love this movie. I was too young to watch it in the theater, but I think it is fascinating to watch the change in the characters over the years. I would highly recommend this film to everyone.
I have to admit I have not seen this one, but I love Maggie Smith and will definitely check it out!
It's definitely a must-see if you love Maggie Smith.