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Under the Volcano

Under the Volcano

1984
Drama
1h 52m
Against a background of war breaking out in Europe and the Mexican fiesta Day of Death, we are taken through one day in the life of Geoffrey Firmin, a British consul living in alcoholic disrepair and obscurity in a small southern Mexican town in 1939... (imdb)
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Under the Volcano

1984
Drama
1h 52m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 55.59% from 201 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(201)
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Rated 11 Jan 2019
60
48th
Although it's based on a novel, one can't help but think that Huston identified strongly with the drunken machismo of Firmin, played quite convincingly by Finney. The narrative meanders, which is rather fitting for a portrait of a drunk, and the derelict Mexican locations effectively mirror the character's emotional disintegration, but repetition sets in prematurely and Huston is unable to furnish his downward spiral with the subtlety or force necessary to make it truly impactful.
Rated 03 Jan 2009
73
44th
Anytime the main character isn't drunk or at some carnival/party setting, this can actually impress me. The only problem is the scenes I mentioned take up more than half of this movie, leaving it uninspired and uninteresting.
Rated 04 Aug 2011
40
28th
Like being run over with a steamroller. Very depressing and distressing. You can see the end coming -- why can't he? Also shows you more of Albert Finney than you ever wanted to see.
Rated 25 Oct 2014
68
52nd
A solid attempt, but, seriously, just read the novel.
Rated 02 Nov 2013
69
34th
Intermittently interesting but too often tedious; in Finney's self aggrandizing drunkard, one feels that director Huston may be working through demons of his own, which gives the film a dreary, self-indulgent flavour, which becomes deadly when mixed with a virtual absence of plot. Finney's performance is terrific, but the supporting cast is given little to chew on outside of their linkages with the lead character; Bisset and Andrews especially feel as if they're tugging on a leash.
Rated 13 Mar 2008
90
86th
Heavy stuff, but then I like that kind of thing. Excellent performance from Finney as usual
Rated 03 Sep 2010
85
91st
Who doesn't love a happy drunk?
Rated 16 Jul 2008
64
23rd
Within two minutes, I knew I wasn't going to like this movie, but I stuck with it anyway. Even when drunk acting is done right, and Albert Finney does it pretty well, I just don't care for it. I don't care about alcoholics, and I especially don't care about alcoholics who drop clever little philosophical bon mots in between gulps. Having said that, it's hard to find anything wrong with this movie. A couple of scenes are even lyrical. But this just isn't my bag.
Rated 18 Sep 2015
69
63rd
Gripping and hypnotic tale of self-destruction that remains compelling until the very last minute when it makes a highly questionable choice that loses it some points. Tremendous acting throughout, with Finney powerhousing and Bisset being as luminous as ever.
Rated 31 Mar 2018
70
46th
I mean Albert Finney is a powerhouse in this film but what a dingy way to end a film. Had the death been at one's own hand (like Lowry's himself) i would've liked it much more.

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