This was a brilliant commentary. Great movie. Fantastic performances. The one problem I had with the material was the imaginary child. I was interested to hear during this audio that they'd considered making the death real and incorporating into the backstory that he'd hung himself in the closet when he was a teenager. THAT would have made the whole piece make perfect sense. I'm shocked they didn't go with that, because the idea of an imaginary child used as a game to torture each other feels like some kind of over the top Tennessee Williams dramatic plot device. It reminds everyone that it's a play. Completely unrelatable. BUT an older couple dealing with the suicide of their only child would absolutely explain this insane level of masochistic co-dependence.
@ziggersz4899Ай бұрын
No. To change that entire idea makes it an entirely different piece altogether. And that's OK. They'd just be two different and separate pieces.
@rendonmax21139 жыл бұрын
I always find these conversations to be so insightful and interesting. The process and the personalities make you wonder how they're able to bring it all together.
@ziggersz48999 ай бұрын
Talent, intelligence and ambition. That's how they get it done.❤
@hughiedavies60694 ай бұрын
Its like a bad dream, about a relationship, ive had dreams like that, i rewatched it recently twice its that good, great to hear Mike Nichols discussing it
@wrmty5641311 жыл бұрын
"This is interesting about English actors"..."he being an English stage actor". Mike Nichols - you have pissed off the entire population of Wales! Nice commentary though ;-)
@brutusalwaysminded6 ай бұрын
Great talk. Thanks.
@FathomlessJoy Жыл бұрын
That is great. Thank you. Would have been fab if you used lots and lots of stills instead of just one.
@karenc4544 Жыл бұрын
Amazing…they couldn’t film in color because “Elizabeth is 32.” I guess her hideous elderly face would’ve been less terrifying in black and white. The movie wouldn’t have worked in color anyway, so I guess it turned out for the best.
@j.m.4364 ай бұрын
It’s because 32 was too YOUNG to play Martha, and the old age make up would show
@loganlark11 жыл бұрын
What DVD version of the movie is this from?
@ADAMSIXTIES9 ай бұрын
Soderbergh knows a lot about film, but I can't stand his films: Contagion, Traffic, Sex, Lies, Videotape. Blech! Mike Nichols knocked it out of the park on Virginia Woolf and The Graduate. But his others are nothing to write home about.
@karllieck90648 ай бұрын
I thought his Breakfast Club was very good. Most entertaining with a lot of memorable moments.
@kevinw36212 ай бұрын
“The LImey” and “Erin Brokovich” are pretty perfect films.
@orpheus90372 жыл бұрын
1:38:02 Soderbergh mentions "The Last Picture Show" as being one of the last B&W studio films. In fact, Bogdanovich made Paper Moon in B&W in '73.
@jaymesguy2395 жыл бұрын
Have they just made a good at least hour long doco about the making of this movie? If not, it really needs to be done.
@MAFion Жыл бұрын
The dvd special features help. It includes this commentary and a few mini-docs.
@rickp.89254 жыл бұрын
This was wonderful, My favorite movie of all time..........................
@Smartychase3 жыл бұрын
Mine too
@TheStranger5133 жыл бұрын
I thought movies like Pulp Fiction or Matrix was my all time film. Then I watched this and this character George knocked me out with the dialogue. Probably my number 1 now.
@eecortese2 жыл бұрын
At 54:55, the proud alumnae of Smith College will have you know the school is located in Northampton, MA.
@kellybaxter25584 жыл бұрын
Very interesting and a great listen. Especially having seen Virginia Woolf for the first time the night before listening to this.
@MAFion Жыл бұрын
I'd love to see Nichols and May do this play together back in 1980.
@patrickney65848 жыл бұрын
I pulled out all the stops and bought the Blu-ray oh wait no I'm thinkin' of "The Graduate"! Soderberg and Nichols do a commentary on that, too. Velly *stroking imaginary goatee* interesting.
@michaelscottcutler36273 жыл бұрын
Why wasn't this interview interspersed with the scenes to which Nichols was referring? Odd. It would have made it so much more enjoyable.
@Myplop3 жыл бұрын
Copyright I’m guessing
@Nataloff Жыл бұрын
It's the commentary track for the DVD. Can't you can hear the film in the b.g.?
@patrickney65848 жыл бұрын
Soderbergh, not Soderberg. 50/50 chance and, of course, I went with the wrong one.
@louislorenzi-prince38423 жыл бұрын
This interview is difficult to get through. It shouldn't be, but it is. Some good comments, but too rambling.
@ziggersz4899Ай бұрын
Really. Spit it out already, Soderbergh. And why does he seem to lead this conversation when it's Mike's movie?
@CR055FIRE Жыл бұрын
38:00 - that's not what love is love isn't about wanting someone to be something, it's about having patience and not getting angry
@MattieCooper1000010 жыл бұрын
Fascinating!
@julianyc4224 ай бұрын
"Liz was 32, she couldn't carry the make up" OMG
@karllieck90648 ай бұрын
This interview was torture to listen to. However, WAOVW was so brilliant.
@audreydaleski10672 жыл бұрын
Her dad thought they should get together. Another not destined to become head of his depth. One hysterical pregnancy and one imaginary son.
@thecat85132 жыл бұрын
Nichols sounds just like Bill Maher
@audreydaleski10672 жыл бұрын
Corrupting the young teacher and his wife, breaking them in.
@kellybaxter25584 жыл бұрын
Also Elizabeth didn't mention in previous interviews how the filming affected her and Richard off camera but I guess it did for a while during making this film.
@jimlavelle45387 ай бұрын
Even Dick Cavett would be shocked by the amount of name dropping Mike Nicholson does during this interview.
@Larkinchance7 ай бұрын
It's not really name dropping. It is Mike Nichols circle of friends and collaborators.
@1972JKH2 жыл бұрын
This is not entertaining. Twice interesting, but not entertaining. Dang
@teeniebeenie87747 жыл бұрын
thx 4 posting !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@audreydaleski10672 жыл бұрын
Very odd but obvious that their son is imaginnary.
@audreydaleski10672 жыл бұрын
She's not dressing for me she's dressing for you.
@thecat85132 жыл бұрын
Nichols never touched this or the Graduate, just six decades of mediocrity after. Carnal was pretty good. But that 1-2 punch, man.
@audreydaleski10672 жыл бұрын
What was the meaning of the imaginary child? She just wanted a child. Did she blame her husband?
@wotan109502 жыл бұрын
During the movie, it’s explained that both Martha and George want to be punished; he, for accidentally killing his parents; she, for being unable to escape the life of an associate professor’s wife. And yet, she admits that he’s the only man she’s ever loved. The imaginary child is probably their way of escaping the boredom and drudgery of their lives. George finally realizes that they can’t continue the charade of their marriage and child. At the end, Martha realizes it too, and you get the feeling that they’ll reevaluate and stay with each other. That my analysis, for what it’s worth!
@karenc4544 Жыл бұрын
They’re infertile. At the very end they reveal that, along with the fact that their son is imaginary. The son is one more denial of reality in their vicious relationship. Like alcohol, like attacking each other, it’s their way of avoiding dealing with the crushing pain, and the very buried love they both feel.
@gomist20184 ай бұрын
@@wotan10950I forget that he accidentally killed his parents. Trauma galore. But it’s a happy ending: they do love each other very deeply.
@grapiken77667 жыл бұрын
The only thing I don't like about the process of the making of this brilliant film is the apparent glee exhibited by some people when firing staff.
@jaymesguy2395 жыл бұрын
I thought that, too. I guess that's just a Hollywood high, you get to (among other things) fire people once you succeed, it seems to be a real power trip as well as anything else. Creative artists aren't necessarily nice people, in any event.
@theboofin5 жыл бұрын
Firing happens all the time in filmmaking. Wasn't he referring to the DP before he had even started shooting. And it was decades before...
@lawsonj394 жыл бұрын
Sounded like the guy was really asking for it.
@cyrusnowrasteh7552 жыл бұрын
@@lawsonj39 Yes. Agree. Furthermore, making a film one is constantly trying to protect their vision -- and everyone wants a piece of it -- one needs to surround oneself with people who help. If they're not helping, they have to go our you're stuck with a movie you don't recognize. THAT is painful.....
@karenc4544 Жыл бұрын
Sounds like a perk of the profession for them, honestly.
@patrickney65848 жыл бұрын
I'm a wannabe screenwriter and find discussions of this kind helpful. I love writing but I REALLY want to direct. I like the idea of bossing people around as they are compelled (by me) to bring MY vision to life.
@grapiken77667 жыл бұрын
Patrick Ney Just be a boss and you'll get the same kicks.
@gracenurse3365 Жыл бұрын
Well, actors may be compelled to disagree with your dramatic choices. So you’d better have backup performers in case they get fed up with your blossoming tyranny and quit : )
@julianyc4224 ай бұрын
you love the idea of bossing people around, not finding talented people, more talented in many fields than you to work with and respect... Alrighty, Harvey
@wotan109502 жыл бұрын
This conversation, unlike the brilliant movie, is a crashing bore. Nichols was known to be self-absorbed, and he just can't seem to get to the point. Also, there are so many out-of-focus shots in the final scene, I actually wondered why they didn't repeat the take. Nonetheless, all four leading actors gave extraordinary performances.
@Schizza19878 жыл бұрын
does someone know when was this taped?
@frederickcutajarzahra63827 жыл бұрын
Whо's Аfrаid оf Virginia Wооlf? mоviе hеrе => twitter.com/5bd3df8a79d2adead/status/795843648935972865 Stеven Sodеrbеrgh Мikе Niсhоls Who s Аfrаid ооооf Virginia Woоoоolf Аudiо Cоmmentary
@TheJazsinger9 жыл бұрын
I learned a lot about this play by listening to this conversation. Very interesting. I too found the background play distracting, other than that it was great!
@MAFion Жыл бұрын
It's taken from the commentary track on the dvd.
@dantean7 жыл бұрын
Soderbergh is interested in over-rated Albee rather than in his REAL major achievement, Zoo Story, because, like Nichols himself, he's a middle-brow. At least in terms of theater.
@lawsonj394 жыл бұрын
Not sure where you get that Virginia Woolf isn't a "REAL major achievement."
@BrettOwen714 жыл бұрын
I believe Nichols considered himself a low-brow after all. At least he said so in The Designated Mourner.
@joeystickfigure237110 жыл бұрын
Great discussion. However, please remove the background novie track It is so annoying and distracting. Rule number one about sound. Never have something that cant be heard and understood, because ones attention is trying to do that, instead of concentrating on the discussion at hand.
@javimu1117 жыл бұрын
I think it's because they are commenting as they watch the movie itself in real time. That's why we can also hear it.
@lawsonj394 жыл бұрын
@@javimu111 Exactly.
@rickp.89254 жыл бұрын
Totally disagree, This was what made the discussion so wonderful, they are actually watching the full movie as they discuss it scene by scene.............
@joeystickfigure17564 жыл бұрын
@@rickp.8925 Should do that with that sound OFF, or fade out when speaking. I just find it very distracting. But that me.