A review by kristine
Rope by Alfred Hitchcock, Patrick Hamilton
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this play. I generally do not read plays; I prefer to watch them.
In a very short period of time, Hamilton develops very strong characters. Brandon truly is psychotic and the idea that he can murder for the sake of murder/art is creepy. Brandon may just be the most diabolical creature I've encountered in fiction in years. Granillo is a sissy, a simpering fool and Hamilton's brilliance makes you want to grab this character by the shoulders and shake some sense (and courage) into him. And then there is Cadell, who Hamilton leaves us wondering if the only killing he had ever done was in the war.
The use of the chest by Hamilton as a tomb, a table, and a metaphor was bold; the idea of a dead body being not only in the centre of the room for the entire play, but a party of people eating off of it was brilliant.
In a very short period of time, Hamilton develops very strong characters. Brandon truly is psychotic and the idea that he can murder for the sake of murder/art is creepy. Brandon may just be the most diabolical creature I've encountered in fiction in years. Granillo is a sissy, a simpering fool and Hamilton's brilliance makes you want to grab this character by the shoulders and shake some sense (and courage) into him. And then there is Cadell, who Hamilton leaves us wondering if the only killing he had ever done was in the war.
The use of the chest by Hamilton as a tomb, a table, and a metaphor was bold; the idea of a dead body being not only in the centre of the room for the entire play, but a party of people eating off of it was brilliant.