I guess how one 'puts these films together' is of no importance really. As long as one appreciates great work
I'm a film maker, therefore I've always been into Directors first, actors second (most of the time, not always of course.).
Especially Directors with an own style, like Polanski, Peckinpah, Leone, Hawks etc.
Lean has the b/w period with outstanding work (Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, Brief Encounter ..)
and his color period, many call them 'epics'.
I guess LAWRENCE is one of the best films ever made. I watched it 10 times over the last 30 years. And never
dates, and since its restauration it is even become better than it was in the first place. Masterpiece.