CFF60 review - UNDER MILK WOOD by Kevin Allen

KEVIN ALLEN imagines DYLAN THOMAS, in a dreamlike, vivid, bizarre and satirical colourful vision very much aware of its eccentricities. UNDER MILK WOOD was featured in the programme of the 60th CORK FILM FESTIVAL.

Just coming off of the centenary celebrations of the poet DYLAN THOMAS, UNDER MILK WOOD by KEVIN ALLEN is a word for word re-imagining of his celebrated radio play by the same name, which was commissioned by the BBC and had been interpreted since numerous times, most famously by RICHARD BURTON in the 1972 film. 

It's hard to pinpoint just what its story is about, and perhaps it is best to describe that UNDER MILD WOOD allows its viewer an insight into the thoughts and innermost dreams of the inhabitants of fishing village of Llareggub. Thus, the most unusual characters that populate it, populate the storyline that is itself wild, loose and free despite it being defined by a cronological setyting of succession of day and night. 

This version imagined by KEVIN ALLEN is not the first to be adapted for the big screen, but it certainly distinguishes itself with its distinctive flair with a penchant for the grottesque, the bizarre and the cartoonish. Instead of simply representing the words of the celebrated poet, it actually aims to convey them with an original tone and style that aims for a more sensorial experience, rather than a straight forward cinematic one.

Such an excercise can be hard to get into, and may seem demanding, indeed a little distracting, but the experimentation's beauty lies in the fact that it essentially allows the viewer's experience to be interactive. Thus, at times, a viewer may be forgiven for wanting to close their eyes for the sole purpose of focusing on the words, and vice versa, might well be hypnotised by the colourful and extravagant images, sometimes recalling DAVID LYNCH, other times flirting with FELLINI and certainly further pointing out to the way in which both and more than them alone were influenced by the wavelength of THOMAS, whether directly or indirectly. 

Very often the satire of the sexuality and nakedness is playful and satirical, full of vividness. But the beauty of the film lies also within its rhythm, and the importance of music, and the performances by the cast headed by RHYS IFANS, who culminates the feverish frenzy of the etheral and often nightmarish vision. 

It's hard to criticize a film that is so cocky in its relentless stylization as a film like any other. It seems aware of its excesses, as well as downright keen on them. What is for certain is that UNDER MILK WOOD is able to grab your attention even if some may find it frustrating. This, in its own way, is part of the beauty of cinematic interaction, whether in KEVIN ALLEN's film, or any other - or any other work of art.