Based on direct interviews with Beverly Aadland, the last woman in the life of Errol Flynn, The Last of Robin Hood has been released for the screen. Researched, written and directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland the movie is a “tell all” about the last two years of Flynn’s impulsive life and his two closest women. While the movie does reveal most of the sordid details, the shock value doesn’t come off the screen.
The story opens in October of 1959 as an airliner lands at an airport surrounded by reporters. An announcer is recording his show about the recent death of Errol Flynn. The door opens to the airplane and seventeen-year-old Beverly Aadland (Dakota Fanning) exits to the crowd of reporters asking questions. Pausing a moment here eyes meet with her mother Florence (Susan Sarandon) and she faints. The reporters later crowd around Florence as she gives an interview.
Flash back two years and Beverly leaving her parents house for her first day on the set of a Los Angeles movie studio. She’s been cast as a chorus girl in the Gene Kelly movie Marjorie Morningstar. On her way into the stage building Errol Flynn (Kevin Kline), starring in Too Much Too Soon, spies the young woman from his office window, He sends his assistant to tell Beverly he would like to see her after her scenes are completed. When she gets to his office he offers her an audition for a play. That night after the audition he seduces Beverly with drink and his charms.
While the film is not Lolita, it still rings of the lust between a young girl and an older man who sets aside the legality for his pent up sexual needs. The film opens the window into both Flynn and Aadland’s whirlwind romance, that although her being only 15 and him nearly 50 become lovers. I think the film could have been more passionate and sensual considering the reputation of Flynn. This was an opportunity to lift the story into the current century with the advantage of a loser moralistic attitude toward sexuality in film. Instead it’s bland; the affair becomes secondary to an egotistical subplot and thus lacks the chemistry needed for a sympathetic view of Aadland’s unsuspecting fall from grace at an early age.
While Kline’s performance is dead on, I can’t say that much for Fanning. Although she surly fits the mold, it doesn’t really come off the screen that way. She gives more of a characterless performance floating within each scene as if a body for Kline to bounce off his lines. I can’t fault Fanning as I have enjoyed most of her work and I do know she could have made Aadland more energetic and interesting to watch, but direction here falls flat and damaging to her performance.
Stealing the show however, Susan Sarandon does a good job as the scheming mother who looks out for her daughter’s and her future. She puts her best in the role and we get rewarded for it. As Florence Aadland she pushes her daughter into the relationship with Flynn for her own chance to step into the limelight. She’s a devoted fan of Flynn and star struck by his fame hoping to get close to the swashbuckler no matter how it damages her underage daughter. It’s the Sarandon of the past that gave us a fascinating character like in Dead Man Walking and Atlantic City. While this performance does not show Oscar potential, it does save the film from dropping below average.
Technically the film is beautifully photographed with a feel of 50’s filmmaking. Costumes, sets and make-up are perfect for this plot taking place in a time that was care free and regaining the strength lost from the devastation of World War II. The cars were fast, parties had a happy go lucky flair and the music upbeat, all depicted nicely in The Last of Robin Hood.
The Last of Robin Hood has been rated R by the MPAA for some sexuality and language. The film is more of a just another biography of one of the most prolific men ever to grace the silver screen. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the film as it does have some scenes that are inappropriate for adolescents.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Kevin Kline, Susan Sarandon and Dakota Fanning
Written and Directed by: Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland
Genre: Biography, Drama
MPAA Rating: R for some sexuality and language
Running Time: 1 hr 30 min
Release Date: September 5, 2014
Distributed by: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
