The Sound and the Fury

The Sound and the Fury doesn't exactly signify nothing, but as a filmization of William Faulkner it could have been far better. Yul Brynner is the oldest son of a once-proud Southern family rife with inner turmoil. One family member, Margaret Leighton, is a sex addict; one byproduct of her carelessness is an illegitimate daughter, played by Joanne Woodward. Finding no love in her own clan, Woodward opts for a relationship with an irresponsible circus worker (Stuart Whitman). Meanwhile, the mentally retarded family member (Jack Warden) is a never-ending source of embarrassment for all concerned (including fans of Jack Warden). This morbid tale takes a positive upswing when Joanne Woodward's failed romance gives her the strength of character that practically everyone else in the film lacks. The Sound and the Fury is not so much William Faulkner as it is Peyton Place South.