MovieChat Forums > Kind Hearts and Coronets Discussion > A qualm that would have made me enjoy th...

A qualm that would have made me enjoy the film more.

posted 10 years ago by SamoanJoes
6 replies | jump to latest

At first there was something bothering me about the film. Something I found frustrating but I didn't know what it was. Then I realized it... there was way too much narration/voice-over.

I began to get numb at him constantly spewing what was going on, how he felt, why he was doing what he did. I think if you remove this from the film it could be a little more enjoyable. I did enjoy the film but the narration was just exhausting to listen to.

[–] bing-57 9 years ago

I found it not to be intrusive. It helped explain the gaps in time.

[–] greenbudgie 9 years ago

I too like narration. There does seem to be a lot of criticism now about too much talk in old films. But the dark humorous talk-over in this is so good..

[–] louiseculmer 9 years ago

well, he's supposed to be writing his memoirs, so we hear what he is writing. i think it's quite amusing.

[–] spookyrat1 9 years ago

The idea is he is abridging his memoirs for the benefit of us viewers.🐭

[–] LeofricsBeloved 9 years ago

I found Price's voice and narration to be impeccable and added to the tongue-in-cheek irony.

Scorsese films are the ones with too much narration and voice-overs IMO.

[–] deadlypen 8 years ago

Price's narration is a banquet of wonderfully dark wit. Without his words we would lack explanations for some of Louis' actions and motives; nor would we be pulled in different directions (by becoming aware of his increasing ruthlessness and yet also rooting for him almost against our will).

The narration is both exposition and manipulation - the latter factor only hitting new viewers when the final twist in the plot forces them to realise that they are feeling concern because a mass murder may not escape justice.