by Hal Erickson
synopsis
A Delicate Balance is the 1973 film adaptation of Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Katharine Hepburn and Paul Scofield play an old married couple, Agnes and Tobias, who much prefer to be alone. Each time someone visits them, their "delicate balance" is threatened. The first intruder is Agnes' inebriated sister, Claire (Kate Reid). The next is their much-divorced daughter, Julia (Lee Remick). The limit is reached when well-meaning friends Harry (Joseph Cotten) and Edna (Betsy Blair) show up unexpectedly and threaten to stay forever. In keeping with the austerity of the other American Film Theatre presentations, director Tony Richardson eschews his usual cinematographic pyrotechnics here.
characteristics
- Crumbling Marriages
- Lifestyle
- Illusion
- Reality
- Uninvited-guest
- Alcoholic
- Guest
- Couple
- Alcoholism
- Dysfunctional
- Fantasy
- Wine
- Winner
- Winning
- Prize
