Savages (1972)

James Ivory's 1972 film, *Savages*, presents a uniquely allegorical narrative that begins with a tribe of primitive "mudpeople" whose isolated existence is disrupted by the inexplicable appearance of a croquet ball, rolling through their dense forest. Their curiosity piqued, they follow this strange object, which leads them to a vast, deserted estate nestled on Long Island. Upon entering the opulent, yet abandoned, grounds, a remarkable transformation begins. The "mudpeople" shed their primal state, gradually adopting the mannerisms, attire, and even the stereotypical social roles of guests at an upper-class weekend party, creating a sharp, often humorous, allegory of sophisticated societal behavior and assimilation. While *Savages* stands apart from Ivory's more famous literary adaptations and lush period dramas, it nonetheless showcases his distinctive intellectual curiosity and keen eye for social satire, making it a crucial entry on a "Best James Ivory Movies" list. The film's bold, almost surreal premise allows Ivory to dissect the artificiality of societal constructs and the performative nature of class identity with a unique allegorical lens. Its exploration of civilization, savagery, and the thin veneer separating them, presented with his characteristic artistic precision, makes it a fascinating and essential work. Ultimately, the facade crumbles as the "civilized" guests begin to devolve, culminating in a chaotic battle over croquet before they mysteriously vanish back into the woods, leaving behind only the echo of their brief, transformative encounter with "civilization."