Bob Murphy Show Ep. 478 A Review of Kubrick's Largely Overlooked "Barry Lyndon"
Jan 17, 2026
In this discussion, film and literature reviewer Adam Haman delves into Stanley Kubrick's often underappreciated work, 'Barry Lyndon.' He highlights the film's stunning visuals and technical achievements while exploring Barry's complex character arc as he navigates betrayal and societal pressures. The conversation also touches on Kubrick's distinctive storytelling style, the film's historically critical reception, and the nuances of class and morality. Haman argues why 'Barry Lyndon' deserves another look from modern audiences.
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Kubrick's Ambitious Genre Mastery
- Stanley Kubrick deliberately chose varied genres and ambitious techniques to test his range as a filmmaker.
- Barry Lyndon exemplifies Kubrick's willingness to swing for the fences in pacing and visual craft.
Beautiful Film, Problematic Protagonist
- Barry Lyndon combines exceptional visual beauty with a narratively ambiguous protagonist.
- Adam Haman found the film gorgeous but had mixed feelings about Redmond Barry's character.
Barry's Fall From Naive Romanticism
- Bob describes Redmond Barry as starting naive and romantic before being hardened by betrayal.
- He argues Barry retains traces of mercy even after becoming jaded.
