Plenty (1985), directed by Fred Schepisi and adapted from David Hare’s acclaimed play, is a richly layered drama that explores themes of disillusionment, identity, and the cost of survival in the aftermath of war. Meryl Streep delivers a commanding performance as Susan Traherne, a former British secret agent who, after serving with the French Resistance during World War II, struggles to reconcile her idealistic wartime experiences with the disappointments of peacetime life.
The story follows Susan across nearly two decades, from the mid-1940s into the 1960s, as she navigates postwar England’s shifting political and social landscape. Haunted by her youthful experiences of purpose and courage, she finds herself restless and dissatisfied with the compromises demanded by everyday existence. Her relationships—with Raymond Brock (Charles Dance), a steady civil servant, and Lazar (John Gielgud), a diplomat—further highlight her inability to adapt to the ordinary life she once thought she desired.
At the heart of the film is the tension between personal freedom and societal expectation. Streep portrays Susan as both sympathetic and deeply flawed—a woman whose uncompromising search for meaning often alienates those around her. Her erratic behavior, fueled by inner turmoil, is both tragic and mesmerizing. This complexity elevates Plenty beyond a typical period drama, grounding it in psychological realism.
Cinematographer Ian Baker captures postwar England with a cool, restrained visual style, contrasting the bleakness of peacetime reality with the romanticized memories of wartime. Georges Delerue’s evocative score deepens the film’s melancholic tone, underscoring the sense of longing and loss that permeates Susan’s journey.
Critically, Plenty received mixed reactions upon release. While some critics praised Streep’s intense performance and Hare’s sharp dialogue, others found the film overly theatrical and emotionally distant. Still, its exploration of the disillusionment that often follows idealistic struggles resonates with audiences who see in Susan a reflection of broader societal discontent in the decades following WWII.
Overall, Plenty is a challenging but rewarding character study—anchored by one of Meryl Streep’s most daring performances. It asks timeless questions: What happens when the most meaningful moments of your life are behind you? And how do you live in a world that no longer feels worthy of your sacrifices?
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