I still remember being impressed, when I first saw Resurrection, at the way Ellen Burstyn and the rest of the cast soldier on through bad line after bad line. One is almost persuaded--though not quite--to ignore the dreadfulness of the lines. Alas, Burstyn and Sam Shepard as her goofy lover have no chemistry. Many sub-plots seem underdeveloped and generic. There is too much melodrama. Eva LeGallienne is worth seeing as is Burstyn. Just don't get your hopes up, for the whole effect is disappointing. The violent climax is badly staged and pointless besides. Why does her would-be assassin find Edna warming up her audience with jokes? That is frankly dumb. The 1999 TV remake recognizes the possibility of doing better but ultimately fails, as well. I rate the original version higher by one point only because of the occasionally remarkable acting, made more remarkable by the low quality of the material.
Review of Resurrection
