The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Review Request: Orlando (1992)

How special of an actor is Tilda Swinton? Her career has been long and successful with such a strange and fascinating range of roles over the years. There have been plenty of entry points into Swinton works including younger millennials and their trip to see The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. This was a moment for Swinton’s career and white lady dreads. But there have been so many layered, complex, and varied roles that Swinton has excelled and shined in. But one film truly gave Swinton the perfect character to accentuate her androgynous and fluid look…Orlando.

How impressive is Swinton in Sally Potter’s film? This is loosely based on Virginia Woolf’s story, but Potter puts the weight of this film on the capable shoulders of Swinton. Orlando is about a young male lord who is tasked by Queen Elizabeth I to never grow old, and he can control a massive estate. There are some strange happenings that add layers of complexity to the story and sees the sex of his lord become fluid and change over time. Swinton is saddled with a role that explores gender and sex in such a unique way while Swinton confidently navigates both the male and female form with her presence, stature, and physicality. There are plenty of moments of emotion as well as the titular character navigating lust, deep romantic connection, and even fear in the face of war and destruction. Of course, Swinton nails all of these with a naturalistic presence that is unmatched. Swinton’s overall charisma shines through all the elaborate costumes and presentations to show such a confident and assured presence in the film. Swinton is supported well by Quentin Crisp who brings the Queen to life with such flair and personality (and completely convincing as a man starring as one of the most powerful women of all time). You even have a lustful Billy Zane with a majestic mane of hair who has quite the spark with Swinton. There are plenty of familiar and impactful character actors sprinkled throughout these lavish set pieces.

Speaking of, how does Potter bring the world of Orlando to life on screen? There are scales and opulence to the grandeur that is Orlando. The costumes are so on point with such lavishness and expression. The production design for this massive estate is awe-inspiring. But no matter how grand scale or uncomfortably intimate Orlando gets, Potter still has a steady hand that guides the whole ship. A dreamlike quality accentuates this whole cinema experience and Potter’s keen eye, and subtle hand make it feel so effortlessly engrossing. There is a richness to every frame of Orlando and plenty of praise should go cinematographers Aleksey Rodionov and Andrew Speller’s way. The music (co-composed by Potter and David Motion) is atmospheric and dreamlike as well, which reinforces the unique and engrossing atmosphere that Potter and company expertly craft. This is just over 90 minutes, and Potter gives the film plenty of energy and magnetism that just won’t let you look away from Orlando or the journey he then goes on.

Does the story compel as deeply as the presentation of this narrative? This is not the most structured, detailed, and complex narrative out there. This is quite a strange and compelling story. This connection between a Queen and a young man that sparked a life that lasts hundreds of years just seems so strange and unexpected. Such a life certainly will have interesting connections and conflicts along the way. Orlando does explore some interesting elements of gender roles, sexism over time, and the intimacy of human connection. A sprawling journey through time sees war and peace as well, which reinforces the larger scaled humanity of the film. This is a looser narrative than most films, but it gives space to explore something deeper and richer than a plot-driven narrative might. This might be a little too idiosyncratic and divergent for some, but it is quite the journey to experience.

Why should you check out Orlando? Swinton is the star and main attraction for sure. There are few elements in this film that are as compelling as this alluring and layered portrayal that she crafts. Potter does create quite an engrossing atmosphere as well that will engage the audience even when the film gets a little outside the box. Thoughtful and unique, this is an artful experience worth having.

Special thanks to Luke Burian for nominating Orlando (1992)!