Its like a bad dream, about a relationship, ive had dreams like that, i rewatched it recently twice its that good, great to hear Mike Nichols discussing it
I thought movies like Pulp Fiction or Matrix was my all time film. Then I watched this and this character George knocked me out with the dialogue. Probably my number 1 now.
This was a brilliant commentary. Great movie. Fantastic performances. The one problem I had with the material was the imaginary child. I was interested to hear during this audio that they'd considered making the death real and incorporating into the backstory that he'd hung himself in the closet when he was a teenager. THAT would have made the whole piece make perfect sense. I'm shocked they didn't go with that, because the idea of an imaginary child used as a game to torture each other feels like some kind of over the top Tennessee Williams dramatic plot device. It reminds everyone that it's a play. Completely unrelatable. BUT an older couple dealing with the suicide of their only child would absolutely explain this insane level of masochistic co-dependence.
I always find these conversations to be so insightful and interesting. The process and the personalities make you wonder how they're able to bring it all together.
"This is interesting about English actors"..."he being an English stage actor". Mike Nichols - you have pissed off the entire population of Wales! Nice commentary though ;-)
I pulled out all the stops and bought the Blu-ray oh wait no I'm thinkin' of "The Graduate"! Soderberg and Nichols do a commentary on that, too. Velly *stroking imaginary goatee* interesting.
I'm a wannabe screenwriter and find discussions of this kind helpful. I love writing but I REALLY want to direct. I like the idea of bossing people around as they are compelled (by me) to bring MY vision to life.
Well, actors may be compelled to disagree with your dramatic choices. So you’d better have backup performers in case they get fed up with your blossoming tyranny and quit : )
you love the idea of bossing people around, not finding talented people, more talented in many fields than you to work with and respect... Alrighty, Harvey
Also Elizabeth didn't mention in previous interviews how the filming affected her and Richard off camera but I guess it did for a while during making this film.
Amazing…they couldn’t film in color because “Elizabeth is 32.” I guess her hideous elderly face would’ve been less terrifying in black and white. The movie wouldn’t have worked in color anyway, so I guess it turned out for the best.
They're actually saying the opposite of that. They meant that she was still so young and beautiful, that they had to use extensive make up to make her look older and more haggard, and that makeup would've been more obvious in color. Black and white helped hide the fakeness of the makeup.
I learned a lot about this play by listening to this conversation. Very interesting. I too found the background play distracting, other than that it was great!
@@ziggersz4899 Soderbergh's delivery bugged me too but that may have been caused by the weird nature of these old DVD commentaries - where the movie plays non stop in the background as they talk. It's unbelievably distracting. I could never have an indepth interesting conversation with a movie/tv in the background - it's one of my biggest pet peeves. I understand that if they kept stopping the movie to talk, the commentary would be endless but still.
Don't know if they were "corrupting" them, as much as revealing them. Normal healthy people would've left George & Martha's house within the first few minutes of madness, regardless of their fear of offending them, and the young professor's ladder climbing (Martha was the President's daughter after all). That's one of the many metaphors in this play - the "normal" couple aren't nearly as normal as they first seem.
I thought that, too. I guess that's just a Hollywood high, you get to (among other things) fire people once you succeed, it seems to be a real power trip as well as anything else. Creative artists aren't necessarily nice people, in any event.
@@lawsonj39 Yes. Agree. Furthermore, making a film one is constantly trying to protect their vision -- and everyone wants a piece of it -- one needs to surround oneself with people who help. If they're not helping, they have to go our you're stuck with a movie you don't recognize. THAT is painful.....
During the movie, it’s explained that both Martha and George want to be punished; he, for accidentally killing his parents; she, for being unable to escape the life of an associate professor’s wife. And yet, she admits that he’s the only man she’s ever loved. The imaginary child is probably their way of escaping the boredom and drudgery of their lives. George finally realizes that they can’t continue the charade of their marriage and child. At the end, Martha realizes it too, and you get the feeling that they’ll reevaluate and stay with each other. That my analysis, for what it’s worth!
They’re infertile. At the very end they reveal that, along with the fact that their son is imaginary. The son is one more denial of reality in their vicious relationship. Like alcohol, like attacking each other, it’s their way of avoiding dealing with the crushing pain, and the very buried love they both feel.
Soderbergh knows a lot about film, but I can't stand his films: Contagion, Traffic, Sex, Lies, Videotape. Blech! Mike Nichols knocked it out of the park on Virginia Woolf and The Graduate. But his others are nothing to write home about.
This conversation, unlike the brilliant movie, is a crashing bore. Nichols was known to be self-absorbed, and he just can't seem to get to the point. Also, there are so many out-of-focus shots in the final scene, I actually wondered why they didn't repeat the take. Nonetheless, all four leading actors gave extraordinary performances.
Great discussion. However, please remove the background novie track It is so annoying and distracting. Rule number one about sound. Never have something that cant be heard and understood, because ones attention is trying to do that, instead of concentrating on the discussion at hand.
Totally disagree, This was what made the discussion so wonderful, they are actually watching the full movie as they discuss it scene by scene.............
Soderbergh is interested in over-rated Albee rather than in his REAL major achievement, Zoo Story, because, like Nichols himself, he's a middle-brow. At least in terms of theater.
Its like a bad dream, about a relationship, ive had dreams like that, i rewatched it recently twice its that good, great to hear Mike Nichols discussing it
This was wonderful, My favorite movie of all time..........................
Mine too
I thought movies like Pulp Fiction or Matrix was my all time film. Then I watched this and this character George knocked me out with the dialogue. Probably my number 1 now.
This was a brilliant commentary. Great movie. Fantastic performances. The one problem I had with the material was the imaginary child. I was interested to hear during this audio that they'd considered making the death real and incorporating into the backstory that he'd hung himself in the closet when he was a teenager. THAT would have made the whole piece make perfect sense. I'm shocked they didn't go with that, because the idea of an imaginary child used as a game to torture each other feels like some kind of over the top Tennessee Williams dramatic plot device. It reminds everyone that it's a play. Completely unrelatable. BUT an older couple dealing with the suicide of their only child would absolutely explain this insane level of masochistic co-dependence.
No. To change that entire idea makes it an entirely different piece altogether. And that's OK. They'd just be two different and separate pieces.
I always find these conversations to be so insightful and interesting. The process and the personalities make you wonder how they're able to bring it all together.
Talent, intelligence and ambition. That's how they get it done.❤
Very interesting and a great listen. Especially having seen Virginia Woolf for the first time the night before listening to this.
1:38:02 Soderbergh mentions "The Last Picture Show" as being one of the last B&W studio films. In fact, Bogdanovich made Paper Moon in B&W in '73.
Mike Nichols is everything. Lucky us that he was here.💟
"This is interesting about English actors"..."he being an English stage actor". Mike Nichols - you have pissed off the entire population of Wales! Nice commentary though ;-)
I'd love to see Nichols and May do this play together back in 1980.
Have they just made a good at least hour long doco about the making of this movie? If not, it really needs to be done.
The dvd special features help. It includes this commentary and a few mini-docs.
38:00 - that's not what love is
love isn't about wanting someone to be something, it's about having patience and not getting angry
That is great. Thank you. Would have been fab if you used lots and lots of stills instead of just one.
thx 4 posting !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even Dick Cavett would be shocked by the amount of name dropping Mike Nicholson does during this interview.
It's not really name dropping. It is Mike Nichols circle of friends and collaborators.
Fascinating!
She's not dressing for me she's dressing for you.
Nichols sounds just like Bill Maher
At 54:55, the proud alumnae of Smith College will have you know the school is located in Northampton, MA.
I pulled out all the stops and bought the Blu-ray oh wait no I'm thinkin' of "The Graduate"! Soderberg and Nichols do a commentary on that, too. Velly *stroking imaginary goatee* interesting.
Great talk. Thanks.
I'm a wannabe screenwriter and find discussions of this kind helpful. I love writing but I REALLY want to direct. I like the idea of bossing people around as they are compelled (by me) to bring MY vision to life.
Patrick Ney
Just be a boss and you'll get the same kicks.
Well, actors may be compelled to disagree with your dramatic choices. So you’d better have backup performers in case they get fed up with your blossoming tyranny and quit : )
you love the idea of bossing people around, not finding talented people, more talented in many fields than you to work with and respect... Alrighty, Harvey
Bosses like you are the reason people move heaven and earth to retire as early as possible.
"Liz was 32, she couldn't carry the make up" OMG
Whats the other movie they discussed?
Also Elizabeth didn't mention in previous interviews how the filming affected her and Richard off camera but I guess it did for a while during making this film.
Amazing…they couldn’t film in color because “Elizabeth is 32.” I guess her hideous elderly face would’ve been less terrifying in black and white. The movie wouldn’t have worked in color anyway, so I guess it turned out for the best.
It’s because 32 was too YOUNG to play Martha, and the old age make up would show
They're actually saying the opposite of that. They meant that she was still so young and beautiful, that they had to use extensive make up to make her look older and more haggard, and that makeup would've been more obvious in color. Black and white helped hide the fakeness of the makeup.
Soderbergh, not Soderberg. 50/50 chance and, of course, I went with the wrong one.
Why wasn't this interview interspersed with the scenes to which Nichols was referring? Odd. It would have made it so much more enjoyable.
Copyright I’m guessing
It's the commentary track for the DVD. Can't you can hear the film in the b.g.?
This interview was torture to listen to. However, WAOVW was so brilliant.
Her dad thought they should get together. Another not destined to become head of his depth. One hysterical pregnancy and one imaginary son.
What DVD version of the movie is this from?
I learned a lot about this play by listening to this conversation. Very interesting. I too found the background play distracting, other than that it was great!
It's taken from the commentary track on the dvd.
This interview is difficult to get through. It shouldn't be, but it is. Some good comments, but too rambling.
Really. Spit it out already, Soderbergh. And why does he seem to lead this conversation when it's Mike's movie?
@@ziggersz4899 Soderbergh's delivery bugged me too but that may have been caused by the weird nature of these old DVD commentaries - where the movie plays non stop in the background as they talk. It's unbelievably distracting. I could never have an indepth interesting conversation with a movie/tv in the background - it's one of my biggest pet peeves. I understand that if they kept stopping the movie to talk, the commentary would be endless but still.
Corrupting the young teacher and his wife, breaking them in.
Don't know if they were "corrupting" them, as much as revealing them. Normal healthy people would've left George & Martha's house within the first few minutes of madness, regardless of their fear of offending them, and the young professor's ladder climbing (Martha was the President's daughter after all). That's one of the many metaphors in this play - the "normal" couple aren't nearly as normal as they first seem.
Nichols never touched this or the Graduate, just six decades of mediocrity after. Carnal was pretty good. But that 1-2 punch, man.
does someone know when was this taped?
Whо's Аfrаid оf Virginia Wооlf? mоviе hеrе => twitter.com/5bd3df8a79d2adead/status/795843648935972865 Stеven Sodеrbеrgh Мikе Niсhоls Who s Аfrаid ооооf Virginia Woоoоolf Аudiо Cоmmentary
The only thing I don't like about the process of the making of this brilliant film is the apparent glee exhibited by some people when firing staff.
I thought that, too. I guess that's just a Hollywood high, you get to (among other things) fire people once you succeed, it seems to be a real power trip as well as anything else. Creative artists aren't necessarily nice people, in any event.
Sounded like the guy was really asking for it.
@@lawsonj39 Yes. Agree. Furthermore, making a film one is constantly trying to protect their vision -- and everyone wants a piece of it -- one needs to surround oneself with people who help. If they're not helping, they have to go our you're stuck with a movie you don't recognize. THAT is painful.....
Sounds like a perk of the profession for them, honestly.
Grow up.
What was the meaning of the imaginary child? She just wanted a child. Did she blame her husband?
During the movie, it’s explained that both Martha and George want to be punished; he, for accidentally killing his parents; she, for being unable to escape the life of an associate professor’s wife. And yet, she admits that he’s the only man she’s ever loved. The imaginary child is probably their way of escaping the boredom and drudgery of their lives. George finally realizes that they can’t continue the charade of their marriage and child. At the end, Martha realizes it too, and you get the feeling that they’ll reevaluate and stay with each other. That my analysis, for what it’s worth!
They’re infertile. At the very end they reveal that, along with the fact that their son is imaginary. The son is one more denial of reality in their vicious relationship. Like alcohol, like attacking each other, it’s their way of avoiding dealing with the crushing pain, and the very buried love they both feel.
@@wotan10950I forget that he accidentally killed his parents. Trauma galore. But it’s a happy ending: they do love each other very deeply.
Very odd but obvious that their son is imaginnary.
Soderbergh knows a lot about film, but I can't stand his films: Contagion, Traffic, Sex, Lies, Videotape. Blech! Mike Nichols knocked it out of the park on Virginia Woolf and The Graduate. But his others are nothing to write home about.
I thought his Breakfast Club was very good. Most entertaining with a lot of memorable moments.
“The LImey” and “Erin Brokovich” are pretty perfect films.
This conversation, unlike the brilliant movie, is a crashing bore. Nichols was known to be self-absorbed, and he just can't seem to get to the point. Also, there are so many out-of-focus shots in the final scene, I actually wondered why they didn't repeat the take. Nonetheless, all four leading actors gave extraordinary performances.
Great discussion. However, please remove the background novie track It is so annoying and distracting. Rule number one about sound. Never have something that cant be heard and understood, because ones attention is trying to do that, instead of concentrating on the discussion at hand.
I think it's because they are commenting as they watch the movie itself in real time. That's why we can also hear it.
@@javimu111 Exactly.
Totally disagree, This was what made the discussion so wonderful, they are actually watching the full movie as they discuss it scene by scene.............
@@rickp.8925 Should do that with that sound OFF, or fade out when speaking. I just find it very distracting. But that me.
This is not entertaining. Twice interesting, but not entertaining. Dang
Soderbergh is interested in over-rated Albee rather than in his REAL major achievement, Zoo Story, because, like Nichols himself, he's a middle-brow. At least in terms of theater.
Not sure where you get that Virginia Woolf isn't a "REAL major achievement."
I believe Nichols considered himself a low-brow after all. At least he said so in The Designated Mourner.