Long Day's Journey Into Night

Long Day's Journey Into Night is one of the screen's most insightful examinations of lives caught in a downward cycle of co-dependency and despair. Working from the highly autobiographical stage play by Eugene O'Neill, director Sidney Lumet keeps the material interesting despite a 174-minute running time, and cinematographer Boris Kaufman contributes a distinctively angular, shadowy atmosphere. The performances are well-matched to the material, notably Katherine Hepburn in an unusual role as the drug-addicted mother. Since the play is, by its nature, confined to a single indoor setting, Lumet never manages to break free of the feeling that he is presenting a stage play; nonetheless, this is among the best-acted, best-written films of its era. (Richard Gilliam, All Movie Guide)