Out of Africa

Pros: Streep, supporting characters, script, cinematography, music
Cons: Redford doesn't belong here

“I had a farm in Africa,” intones Meryl Streep in this Best Picture of 1985, faithful to the first sentence of Isak Dinesen’s exquisite memoir of the same title, recalling her years owning and managing a coffee plantation in the Ngong hills, near...

Pros: This is a love story, of Africa, as well as between man and woman.
Cons: The DVD does not have many extras, as it was filmed in 1984-85.

Meryl Streep, gives a moving portrait of Karen Blixen, an "older" woman from Denmark. The film, directed by Sydney Pollack, stars one of Pollack's best friends, Robert Redford, who plays Brit, Denys Finch-Hatton. They tell the story of an unmarried woman ...

Pros: Redford
Cons: Not enough Redford

If it weren't for the strapping young hottie, Robert Redford, "Out of Africa" would have been deemed as one of the most boring "documentaries" of all time.
But Redford, as usual, came through with his rugged charm and gorgeous...

Pros: A romance for intellectuals; beautiful shots; and Meryl Streep's incredible acting
Cons: Sad endings are not popular.

I saw this movie for the first time when I was only 19 years old, over 15 years ago. I had the video in my collection and watched it every now and then just to refresh my memory about why I fell in love with it from the first viewing. No matter how many ...

Pros: beautiful story and cinematography, excellent cast and performances
Cons: well, it's long, but I didn't mind that

There is good reason that this won the Best Picture Academy Award. It is a classic, sweeping tale of adventure and romance, beautifully done by masters of their craft. I just hate that there is a current attempt to capitalize on this film's ideas,...

Pros: Great acting, and location setting
Cons: Too much like real people (is this really a con?)

Love is just too hard. It requires so much of each of us, and requires us to let down our shields. It often requires us to make sacrifices. It always requires us to feel and, perhaps hurt. Such it is in this epic tale set in Africa around the time of...

Pros: cinematography, cast, direction, sets
Cons: Redford is miscast, story lacks central focus

The biography of Danish author Isak Dinesen (1885-1962) was the subject of Hollywood interest for many decades. Greta Garbo was among the actresses who had expressed an interest in playing her.

But it was veteran producer/director Sydney...

Pros: Meryl Streep, scenery, story
Cons: Robert Redford (did I really say that?), DVD transfer spotty

Let me state upfront that I love Robert Redford. I adore him and find him to be wonderful in just about every film I’ve seen him in. However, as a charismatic ladies man at the turn of the 20th century in Africa, he just didn’t convince me. ...

Pros: beautiful panoramic views, love story
Cons: too long and slow, tries to cover too much

Sydney Pollack's Out of Africa suffers from the same illness as David Lean's Dr. Zhivago:  it drags on for several hours, with the story frequently set aside in favor of asides.  Not surprisingly, the film won Oscars for ...

Pros: Well-shot, Redford's acting and character
Cons: Pacing, Meryl Streep's character, Lack of chemistry

To be fair at the outset to "Out Of Africa," the film's status as a winner of Best Picture has long been in dispute by me (from well before I saw it) for no other reason than my favorite film of all time was released the same year and was not even ...

Pros: Cinematograph
Cons: Boring

I saw this movie some time ago. Fortunately, I haven't seen it since. This was one of those movies that I felt my legs go numb. I was squirming all though it. If you like to feel entertained, this is NOT the movie for you.

When I go to...

Pros: None!
Cons: A waste of film and time.

I was conned by the star power into seeing this film when it was released in theaters. Man, O Manishevitz, what a mistake that was! Sitting through this film gave me ample time to reflect on my life up until that point because it was all I could do...

Pros: Everything-scenery, acting, storyline, overall feel
Cons: Slightly long (but worth it!)

I still cry when I hear the opening line to the movie...I'd been to Ghana when I first saw this film and the scenery and language and longing for the continent that so many experience really shines through. Streep and Redford were ideal for the parts, and it was nice not really recognizing anyone else. The film is a little long, but if you're looking for a meaningful couple of hours that are truly a journey.

Pros: Good cinematography
Cons: Robert Redford's acting wasn't that good.

I like the movie "Out of Africa" not only because it tells the story of Karen Blixen, but for the visuals of Africa, the animals and the native people showcased in this movie. You not only get a story, but also a little education on what it was like for Europeans and Africans to live and deal with each other and the political and economic changes that occurred. I think Merrill Streep's acting was great. She portrayed a strong, but vulnerable woman who overcame many challenges from being the first white women to own a farm, to realizing she didn't need to be with someone and could stand on her own.