Isadora

Isadora tells the story of Isadora Duncan (Vanessa Redgrave), darling of the '20s jet-set. Throughout the film, her last days are contrasted with her flamboyant youth, the time when she scandalised "polite society" with her eccentric, exhibitionist antics. In a similar manner to the flashback process used in Attenborough's recent biopic of Charlie Chaplin, we watch Duncan dictate her memoirs, remember her past artistic successes and recall her various lovers (James Fox, Jason Robards, Ivan Tchenko).

Scripted by the distinguished trio of Melvyn Bragg, Clive Exton and Margaret Drabble, Isadora, a film very fond of obvious symbolism, is a little bit too studied. It lacks the required vivacity. In fact, it shares many of the pluses and faults of Attenborough's aforementioned Chaplin. Both films are characterised by briltiant central performances, but, equally, both fail to provide a real insight into the motivations of the central subject. In short, as a definitive character study, Isadora does not work; however, as a piece of entertainment it is eminently watchable and enjoyable

Review by Stephen Townsend
Taken from EUFS Programme 1993-94