Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Return of the Native
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Movie Reviews of Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Return of the Native
Movie Review: Expectation Is Everything
Summary: 4 Stars
The first time I saw this film, I was very disappointed. It was the first rendition of a Thomas Hardy novel I had seen; and I expected a great deal more than the film delivered. "The Return of the Native" is my favorite Hardy novel, though Clym Yeobright, the main character, is not my favorite Hardy character. In fact, very few of Hardy's characters - especially his male characters - are truly admirable. But then, Hardy is more an anti-Victorian author in that he is attempting to depict real people, not larger-than-life cardboard heroes and heroines. It goes without saying, of course, than Clym's eventual blindness simply mirrors his blindness to those around him - his "tragic flaw." Even so, I found Ray Stevenson's portrayal of Clym convincing in that Stevenson seemed to personify Clym's obtuseness. I did not, however, care for Catherine Zeta-Jones' Eustacia Vye. It wasn't her performance, which was nuanced and accurately captured Eustacia's character. Somehow, she just didn't look the part - though I have to say, it was Eustacia as I envisioned her reading the novel, not necessarily Eustacia as Hardy intended her to look; and certainly not Eustacia as others might visualize her. It's just that Eustacia is such a powerful presence in the novel that it's difficult to imagine someone as innocently beautiful as Catherine Zeta-Jones evoking so much emotional reaction in others. There was an Audrey Hepburn kind of almost childlike innocence about her when there ought to have been more of a Merle Oberon (a la "Wuthering Heights") coldness. I can't picture anyone not liking Catherine Zeta-Jones' Eustacia Vye.
At any rate, though I still found Catherine Zeta-Jones too innocent-looking for Eustacia Vye, when I watched the film a second time, I loved it. The reason is simply that I had no expectations of liking it, so there was no possibility of disappointment. Consequently, everything beautiful about the film came through clearly this time; and everything that might be "wrong" about the film completely vanished. Once again proving that one's perspective has more to do with their enjoyment of a film than anything else.
Movie Review: Love & Tragedy & All That Jazz. . .
Summary: 4 Stars
This early vehicle for a young Catherine Zeta-Jones does justice to the complex Hardy novel despite the constraints of the television movie format. 'La Zeta' is perfectly cast as Eustacia Vye, a mysterious beauty with 'black hair and pagan eyes' who captivates the young men of the vicinity while the older country people regard her with suspicion as a witch who is not to be trusted. Eustacia has a reputation as a loose woman in the neighborhood--she dallies with another woman's fiance out of sheer boredom, even though she is tired of him. When dashing Clym Yeobright returns home after many years abroad in Paris, Eustacia sets her cap for him, with tragic results.Fans who have followed Zeta-Jones' high-profile career in movies such as 'Entrapment', 'Traffic' & 'Chicago' will be interested to see her here, long before Michael Douglas and Oscar came calling, in her debut role outside of her native UK. She displays all the beauty and cool self-possession of the star she would later become. She's had her teeth capped since, and been otherwise glammed up, Hollywood-style, but all the fundamentals are there. The setting is breathtaking (shot on location in Northern England), and the simple yet vivid costumes Eustacia wears add to her characterization. Eustacia/Catherine is dressed simply but vividly in tones of scarlet, yellow and turquoise blue, setting her in sharp relief to the browns and grays of the landscape, and the dull clothes worn by the other characters.
The entire cast does a superb job, but this is really Zeta-Jones' show. Whether you're a Zeta fan, or a student of Thomas Hardy, this production should be on your shelf.
Movie Review: The Human Witch
Summary: 4 Stars
This is one of the two most faithful and four most enjoyable adaptations of a Thomas Hardy novel. The main reason this Return of the Native is so good is because the filmmakers do not overtly present Eustacia as a black witch. Yes, she has dark hair and eyes, but her manner is usually that of an ordinary woman. I love subtlety in a film, and there is too little of that nowadays. Even if they make Eustacia more obviously responsible for her mother-in-law's death (instead of making her bitten by a snake on a hot summer day, they just have her witch of a daughter-in-law stare at her through the window), she never wears black and has a rather nice voice. This film, for a good while, leaves open the possibility that Eustacia is an ordinary person.
Also contributing to the film's success is the fact that any changes, additions, and omissions are not only minor, they are explained. It doesn't really matter if Susan burns an effigy doll of Eustacia while saying the Lord's prayer backwards (as in the book), or if she burns the latter's handkerchief (as in the film). The point is that something representing Eustacia gets burned. The eliminated gambling scene was here made unnecessary, and the image of Eustacia's probably purified ghost in the last scene makes for a nicer ending.
This is definitely one of the most successful translations of Thomas Hardy to the screen.
Movie Review: An Excellent Object Lesson
Summary: 4 Stars
Unlike the previous reviewer, I really liked this movie. It was a fascinating psychological study whether or not it was faithful to the book. Really, if you have read any of Thomas Hardy's books, you know that it would be impossible to turn any of them - even short ones like Jude the Obscure - into a movie shorter than 6 hours without having to sacrifice something! And who could stand that much suffering???
I admit that I'm particular to Catherine Zeta-Jones as she looks a lot like one of my daughters, and I think she did a fine job in this movie silently conveying inner passion and frustrated dreams. She is hypnotic and heartbreaking all at the same time.
Admittedly, Ray Stevenson was rather light and played his part like a kid playing at being an actor, but he was pretty much ignorable next to Catherine and Joan Plowright as his mother, and Steven Mackintosh as Diggory. In fact, Diggory comes across as the wisest and most stable person in the story.
In spite of the fact that it was made for TV, it was well-done and the scenery was beautiful. I've watched it twice with my children and used it as a jumping off point to discuss life and they enjoyed the movie and the discussion after!
Movie Review: a brief adaptation, but I still liked it
Summary: 4 Stars
This is one of my favorite Hardy novels. It introduced me to Clive Owen and pre-Hollywood Catherine Z Jones (she even has bushy eyebrows! also, I thought her voice sounded overly dramatic at times).
It's sad that the people of the town disliked Eustacia, thought her a witch. However, it makes sense that they would think differently of her, as she's more attractive than anyone else in the area and acts as if she's superior. And definitely selfish. Still, that character is one of the most fascinating heroines (or anti-heroines, perhaps).
Lovely drowning scene.