Splendor in the Grass

            Splendor in the Grass is a 1961 period drama. The film takes place in 1928 Kansas and it tells the story of two teenagers who fall in love. Bud, played by Warren Betty and Deanie, played by Natalie Wood. Despite their strong feelings for each other they are kept apart by society’s ideals. Bud’s father wants him to focus on college and Deanie’s mother wants her to remain pure and decent. 

            Natalie Wood is wonderful as the sexually repressed Deanie. She truthfully expresses her internal struggle of badly wanting to be with Bud while trying to maintain her virginity. Warren Beatty is also great as the conflicted Bud who is subservient to his father’s wishes.  He convincingly conveys Bud’s moral dilemma between dating Deanie and keeping her respectable. The chemistry between Wood and Betty is palpable as you can feel the lovers’ pining just from the longing looks they give each other.

Splendor in the Grass is a heartbreaking drama. Director Elia Kazan beautifully tells this tale of star-crossed lovers by building the background characters around them, and showing the circumstances that caused them to separate. The film’s title is a reference to a poem by William Wordsworth, a metaphor for cherishing past experiences. The movie is about letting go of lost love and never again being able to recapture the magic of what was.

4 out of 5 stars

1961 Not Rated, 2h 4m