Home > Drama >

Betrayal

Betrayal (1983)

February. 19,1983
|
6.9
| Drama

Pinter's semi-autobiographical play examining the surprise attraction, shy first steps, gradual flowering, and treasonous deception of a woman's extramarital affair with her husband's best friend; the entire story is told from the husband's point of view, with the scenes in precise reverse chronological order. Written by Dan Hartung

...

Watch Trailer

Cast

Similar titles

Reviews

Stevecorp
1983/02/19

Don't listen to the negative reviews

More
Taraparain
1983/02/20

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

More
Brainsbell
1983/02/21

The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.

More
Matho
1983/02/22

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

More
weingartena-819-142661
1983/02/23

I will not read any of the reviews for this movie (yet): I want to write my own. I saw this movie in my mid 20's (I paid to see it in a dark dingy theater): back then, it was somewhat wasted on me. Now, in my mid 50's, I suddenly recalled it, and realized what a chord it strikes (which is why I am giving it a rather high score). I won't be saying anything new here: it documents the disintegration of a wonderful relationship between a couple, but documenting it from present day, and going gradually backwards in time, up to the moment of the very first touch and kiss. If I can find this movie - I will see it again. PS: I was surprised that when I did a search of "Betrayal" on the IMDb database this movie did not show up: I had to find it indirectly by searching for "Patricia Hodge".

More
Susan Tabnik
1983/02/24

This movie is brilliant. All the actors, especially Ben Kingsley, were superb. When Ben Kingsley is in the scene, you are riveted to his every expression. Especially when you watch it for the 2nd time, and know what they know at every given point. Also, thinking about the actual betrayals. I loved the dialogue, references from scene to scene, relationships between the characters, and the backward progress of it all. Pinter's work is incredible. Because of what you know at various points in the plot, you can see what's going on inside the characters. Patricia Hodge and Jeremy Irons give truly amazing performances - and Mr. Kingsley is just mind-blowing. I sure hope it comes out on DVD one day - my VHS copy is running down.

More
herbqedi
1983/02/25

Kingsley is masterful as Robert, the successful publisher, who puts in delectable perspective the fact that he is also a feckless and cuckolded husband. Patricia Hodge, a beautiful and talented British actress whose impressive body of works rarely make it to this side of the pond, is utterly perfect as the embodiment of Emma. Jeremy Irons is fine as well, although not quite as outstanding -- and that may say it all right there. The dialogue is pithy, ironic, sardonic, dry, brittle, and pointed -- vintage Pinter. But, the central plot device of starting at the latest point in time and have successive scenes show what came earlier, seems a bit forced and gimmicky -- although the excellence of Patricia Hodge's eyes in the final scene makes all of it worthwhile. Altogether, I'd rate it 7 of 10 -- certainly worth seeing.

More
philiponel
1983/02/26

This brilliant movie starts with a meeting between Jerry and Emma two years after their relationship has ended; then proceeds backward, thereby ending eight years earlier, with the moment when Jerry first declares his attraction to Emma at a party. The idea that the viewer can know this information at the beginning of the movie and then is never bored is an amazing feat for this movie. All three of the actors are amazing in their roles.

More