SUDDENLY, LAST SUMMER (1959)

Elizabeth Taylor is a revelation in this film, based on a Tennessee Williams play, about wealthy New Orleans shrew Violet Venable (an electrifying Katharine Hepburn), who tries to bribe psychiatric surgeon Dr. Cukrowicz (Montgomery Clift) - desperately in need of funds to keep his hospital going - into not only declaring her niece Catherine (Taylor) insane, but to also lobotomize the girl, traumatized over the death of her cousin Sebastian (Violet's son) while the two were on holiday the previous summer.  But talking with Catherine convinces the doctor she may be far from insane - indeed, the truth slowly emerges that Violet wants Catherine "fixed" to shut her up; the girl witnessed something horrific on that day last summer, something Violet wants never to see the light of day.  Taylor and Hepburn are phenomenal, the last twenty minutes of the film alone a virtual monologue by Taylor that will have your head reeling.  Tennessee Williams was a master; nothing better than his words in the hands of actors of the same caliber. (not rated)  *****

SUDDENLY, LAST SUMMER trailer