Brian Dennehy’s Best Film Is Back on the Market

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Known for his supporting roles in crime thrillers, Westerns, and action films on the big screen, the late American actor Brian Dennehy was often cast as intimidating and corrupt characters such as law enforcement officers and politicians, seen in films like “First Blood” (1982) and “Silverado” (1985). However, in a 2007 interview with CBS, Dennehy shared that he believed his finest performance was a leading role in the lesser-known art film from 1987 titled “The Belly of an Architect“, directed by British filmmaker Peter Greenaway. It is said that Dennehy once remarked, “I’ve been in many movies, but this is the first film I’ve truly made.

I recently discovered a film, newly released on Blu-ray in the U.S., where Brian Dennehy showcases a side rarely seen in his film roles – one strikingly similar to his portrayal of Willy Loman in “Death of a Salesman” on stage. In this movie, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Rome and its ancient ruins, Dennehy plays an acclaimed architect whose life starts spiraling out of control as his marriage, reputation, and health all crumble. The contrast between the beautiful and vibrant surroundings (enhanced by the cinematography) and Dennehy’s unexpectedly vulnerable and tormented character creates a viewing experience that feels both surreal and harrowing – like a haunting dream and a chilling nightmare at once.

Dennehy’s Underrated Acting Chops

In this tale, Dennehy portrays Stourley Kracklite, a renowned American architect who journeys to Rome accompanied by his pregnant wife Louisa (Chloe Webb), for the purpose of supervising an event commemorating one of his idols, the 18th-century French architect Étienne-Louis Boullée. However, not long after their arrival, Kracklite starts suffering from recurring severe abdominal pains. Upon hearing a whisper that Caesar Augustus, the first emperor of the Roman Empire, was possibly poisoned by his spouse, Kracklite develops an unfounded suspicion that his wife is poisoning him and engaging in infidelity. As if scripted from one of Kafka’s works, Kracklite’s life progressively crumbles as his anxiety, abdominal pains, and fixation on Caesar Augustus’ supposedly poisoned stomach grow more intense.

Even though Dennehy didn’t receive an Academy Award nomination for this particular role, it was a performance that could have been considered worthy had the film reached a wider audience. Not only does he speak his lines with a heartfelt authenticity, nuance, and emotional depth that surpasses many of his other on-screen appearances, but his physical acting skillfully portrays his character’s deterioration as well.

While Dennehy’s robust build and rough persona often lend his characters an aura of danger and disquiet, these very traits transform Kracklite into a figure who appears weak and overwhelmed, as he battles to finish his task and maintain his honor. The respect and admiration he once commanded seem to fade rapidly, reaching its zenith when he has a dramatic, drunken outburst at an outdoor restaurant near the Pantheon, which might be his most remarkable demonstration of physical acting yet.

Despite Kracklite’s odd or grumpy behavior, there are moments when we clearly see fear and sadness in his eyes, especially during close-up shots of his weathered and worn appearance in the movie. This demonstrates that Dennehy has the ability to evoke both empathy and humanity as well as fear and disdain.

Nothing Lasts Forever

Beyond Dennehy’s unconventional character portrayal, the standout feature of The Belly of an Architect lies in its stunning visuals. Filmed on location in Rome, the movie showcases a multitude of famous Ancient Roman landmarks (such as the Colosseum, Pantheon, Mausoleum of Augustus, and Vittoriano), almost making it a virtual guide for potential visitors to the city. However, the constant presence of these ancient architectural relics from Rome also plays a significant thematic role in the film.

In this movie, shot by Sacha Vierny (often working with Alain Resnais of the French New Wave), the camera work predominantly uses long shots filmed through wide-angle lenses, making characters appear small and seemingly insignificant next to the grandeur of ancient Roman structures. This underscores the idea that though architects like Kracklite may have brief and transient lives, their creative masterpieces can keep their names alive in history for thousands of years – a legacy that Kracklite strives for but is apprehensive about achieving.

The remote camera work also underscores the deteriorating state of Kracklite and Louisa’s marriage. By shooting their most personal moments from afar, the movie highlights how the couple’s bond is growing increasingly distant and devoid of love, as a result of Kracklite’s intense focus on his project. Concurrently, the film suggests that the desire for physical intimacy remains strong in both characters, as evidenced by the abundance of nudity and sexual themes in the movie’s decor, most explicitly depicted through numerous shots of naked male and female statues scattered throughout Rome.

Additionally, the colors red and green (typically representing passion/desire and jealousy) are conspicuously used in various scenes, adding a touch of surrealistic expressionism to the film’s otherwise realistic aesthetics. This suggests that Kracklite’s feelings of tension and unease may stem from unfulfilled desires or envy, rather than being purely architectural issues.

From Inaccessible to Available

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Embracing art films, often criticized for being complex, elitist, or hard-to-understand, can offer an exciting journey into unique storytelling techniques and thought-provoking themes that lie beyond the ordinary. By venturing out of his typical action/thriller territory and taking on a role in this art film, Dennehy is essentially extending an invitation to his audience to venture out of their comfort zone too, encouraging them to explore this movie and expand their own perspectives.

Although the British Film Institute launched the movie on Blu-ray back in 2012, American viewers only got access to it recently when Vinegar Syndrome, a film restoration and distribution company, released it on Blu-Ray just a few days ago. You can also stream this film directly through Prime Video by clicking the link provided below.

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2025-03-30 01:38