A Patch of Blue (1965)

The notion that love is blind persists in many stories through the ages, notably with the Greek god of love, Eros, who was portrayed as blindfolded in one incarnation. It is the point tenderly made in A Patch of Blue, set against the backdrop of racial tension. Still, it is not a racially-charged story, but a story of love and accepting the sadness of life, and it was one of the most beautiful movies I have seen.

"I know everything I need to know about you.
I love you."

Young Selina Darcy (Elizabeth Hartman) has been blind since age five, following an accident that was the completely the fault of her neglectful, abrasive mother, Rose-Ann (Shelley Winters). The only color she can remember is blue. Now 18, she spends her time beading necklaces, completely unequipped to survive in the world. She begins to spend her days in the park, where she meets Gordon Ralfe (Sidney Poitier), who helps her with the beading as well as teaching her skills like walking across the street, and soon she begins to fall in love with him (but, really, who wouldn't?). However, she is unaware that he is black, and Rose-Ann is a violent racist.

This story is told simply, but is edited in an interesting way that can only be explained by actually watching it, transitioning through scenes with ease. It has a haunting score that elevates the mournfulness of Selina's life, and the truths seen only by the audience. At some points, especially the end, the bare sets and simple photography reminded me of The Twilight Zone. I could see this movie as one of the sad, sentimental episodes, but it is a bit different in tone from the series, despite similar filming style.

"Dark's nothing to me. I'm always in the dark."

Hartman was born for this role, and inhabits it with every fiber of her being. In real life, she did seem like the fragile, skittish type, so I think that she was close to her character in persona and played her to heartbreaking perfection. Selina's lack of education from a poor home life is especially upsetting because of all the options in the world she could have used to go through life happily. Her situation is just plain wrong and unnecessary, and really shows the damaging effects of lacking an education, specifically when it's desperately needed.

"You cannot go on living the way you are.
It's a dark age story."

Poitier always brings such a gentle quality to his performances, one that suited this character fully. He helps to coax Selina out of her shell with infinite patience and tenderness. He has been accused in the past of always playing similar characters, ones who are righteous and kind and wise, but even if that is true, Poitier really gives each character the attention he deserves. Whether he's berating his father in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) or arguing with a nun in Lilies of the Field (1963), each character always has its own breath of life. He never short cuts it by playing a role the same way; each feels distinctly unique, and, most of all, completely authentic. I'm falling in love with him, I must confess, much in the way Selina did.

Every bad mother rolled into one.

In her Oscar-winning role, Winters is crass, rude, and altogether spiteful. She stands among the worst movie mothers in history. I hated her to the core of my being, and due to that I am beyond impressed with the scope of talent Winters possessed. Rose-Ann is really a despicable character, and Winters plays her to full force. She really was amazing, dominating the screen whenever she stomps in. I hope to see more of her filmography as time progresses, because I'm interested to see what other roles she can play, as she's was so convincing in this one.

All in all, A Patch of Blue is a bittersweet tale with topical undercurrents. While sometimes it seemed almost like a fable in the simple structure, it is also a wrenching look at the affects of ignorance and terrible environments. It floated about in my memory days after watching it, with an ending that has a chance of being uplifting, depending on how you view it. It is like a finely crafted necklace, worn with love.