The Loved One

Freely adapted by Christopher Isherwood and Terry Southern from Evelyn Waugh's novel of the same name, The Loved One is an uneven film, but nevertheless immensely enjoyable.

Black comedy is the order of the day. The focus is on the bizarre world of the American funeral business. The principal settings of the film are a funeral parlour and a cemetary. The central character is a mild-mannered Englishman abroad (unfortunately he is played by the dreadfully miscast American comic, actor Robert Morse) who has the task of making funeral arrangements for his uncle (John Geilgud) who has committed suicide. Throughout the picture a whole host of showbiz greats (Rod Steiger, Tab Hunter, Liberace) pop up as assorted oddballs, more often than not camping it up wonderfully.

The Loved One was advertised with the enticing slogan "the motion picture with something to offend everyone" and to be sure, those who have narrow minds will certainly find some parts of the film a bit gross. The rest of us can delight in its sheer irreverence.

Review by Stephen Townsend
Taken from EUFS Programme 1993-94