Mary Reilly
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Movie Reviews of Mary Reilly
Movie Review: Must See Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
As a fan of what I have heard called gothic novels - Bronte, Dickens, etc. - I have got to put in a word for this movie. This is a phenomenal movie. The story centers around Julia Roberts' character, Mary Reilly, who is a servant of Dr. Jekyll. John Malkovich plays a wonderful Dr. Jekyll and makes Mr. Hyde into a fascinating villain. He catches the essence of Mr. Hyde perfectly in my mind...a mysterious and diabolical yet somewhat alluring presence though unstable. (In the original Stevenson story Hyde's dominant characteristic was the repugnance he pulled from people when they saw him - as if he was deformed in some way though it was not visible. It is implied that evil deforms the soul and that visible to other's by instinct). As Reilly assists Jekyll, their relationship becomes that of confidantes (though Jekyll is holding back). He develops an interest in Mary and her life. As he delves into her psyche, he forms a definite affection for her and she for him. There is a certain tension between them because of their feelings, their differing social positions and the problems that Jekyll is having but can't fully explain to the timid but reliable Mary Reilly. This movie was so strong, it just blew me away. It is what I had hoped that Stevenson's story would be but wasn't. I have put Mary Reilly, the book, on my reading list and I fully expect it to be every bit the powerful work as Jane Eyre with the special flavor of horror to be found in the likes of Shelley's Frankenstein.
Movie Review: HEARTILY DAAAAAARK!
Summary: 5 Stars
ONE of the BLEAKEST films ever made about this subject - practically in black and white [nice touch] hi-lighting the splashes of vermillion - and bright red blood! [Especially the lipgloss used by Glen Close as the 'madam' with a scar instead of lips ..... nasty and memorable piece of work .... uses them like switchblades ...]HOWEVER, considering a triple bill - this one fits snugly into the 'OTHERS' and 'FROM HELL' - with a gentle bow in the direction of 'The Innocents'.
JULIA ROBERTS shines as the maid - much maligned and mistreated - only to end up in this house of horror - emotional horror that is shown in vivid flashback [Mary's childhood], etc - our dear Charles Dickens was never this explicit about the chauvinistic society of the Victorian ear .... especially the mistreatment of women and children .... chattel?
THE TALE weaves itself around the going on of the dear Doctor and his depraved ['what literally lies beneath'] alter ego - and this rather odd somewhat sado-masochistic [perhaps ala 'Nightcomers'] evolves around Mary, The Doctor and Mr. Hyde ....
VERY CREEPY STUFF - especially the swinging gangways between the lab. and the house ... excellent art direction and costuming ... but incredibly creepy stuff .....
Similar to DANGEROUS LIASONS - this movie literally becomes darker, and darker as it progresses .... a hidden JULIA ROBERTS/JOHN MALKOVICH treasure - worth visiting!
Movie Review: HEARTILY DAAAAAARK!
Summary: 5 Stars
ONE of the BLEAKEST films ever made about this subject - practically in black and white [nice touch] hi-lighting the splashes of vermillion - and bright red blood! [Especially the lipgloss used by Glen Close as the 'madam' with a scar instead of lips ..... nasty and memorable piece of work .... uses them like switchblades ...]HOWEVER, considering a triple bill - this one fits snugly into the 'OTHERS' and 'FROM HELL' - with a gentle bow in the direction of 'The Innocents'.
JULIA ROBERTS shines as the maid - much maligned and mistreated - only to end up in this house of horror - emotional horror that is shown in vivid flashback [Mary's childhood], etc - our dear Charles Dickens was never this explicit about the chauvinistic society of the Victorian ear .... especially the mistreatment of women and children .... chattel?
THE TALE weaves itself around the going on of the dear Doctor and his depraved ['what literally lies beneath'] alter ego - and this rather odd somewhat sado-masochistic [perhaps ala 'Nightcomers'] evolves around Mary, The Doctor and Mr. Hyde ....
VERY CREEPY STUFF - especially the swinging gangways between the lab. and the house ... excellent art direction and costuming ... but incredibly creepy stuff .....
Similar to DANGEROUS LIASONS - this movie literally becomes darker, and darker as it progresses .... a hidden JULIA ROBERTS/JOHN MALKOVICH treasure - wprth visiting!
Movie Review: I can understand why this is not a Julia Roberts classic flick
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not the way America is accustomed to seeing Julia Roberts. She doesn't act here like she did with "Pretty Woman", "I Love Trouble", or for that matter: " America Sweethearts", "Sleeping With The Enemy", or "Hook". There's one thing missing that's in all the movies I mentioned, and that's Julia's laughter. That laugh of hers as far as I'm concerned has become her trademark. Actors and Actresses all have a trademark as far as I'm concerned. George Burns always and forever had a stogey in his mouth, Groucho Marx always with those wire-rimmed glasses, and Julia Roberts with her laugh. However, don't think because she doesn't laugh in this movie that means it isn't good, on the contrary this shows her ability to drop her Georgian accent, and trade it for an almost Irish accent, but it also shows her ability to act in crossover films which prepared her for an I believe an Oscar nomination for supporting actress for the film "Stepmom". The story line I will have to look into this further, and see if Robert Louis Stevenson had a character named Mary Reilly in his story "Dr. Jekyll and Mister Hyde". If it's not it's still a good suspensful flick.Movie Review: An all time favorite
Summary: 5 Stars
One of my top 5 all time favorite movies.... I haven't been able to get away from it... An excellent way of portraying the Jekyll and Hyde persona... They could not have found better candidates for the characters if they tried, John Malkovich and Julia Roberts are perfect for these rolls I couldn't see anyone else in their respective parts... The suspense was wonderful yet slightly frustrating through the entire movie I just kept wanting to see more of the romantic aspect between Jekyll and Reilly, although it would have ruined the romantic tension and thus a very large part of the movie...
The only real problem I have had with this movie is the fact that there are parts in the preview (which I saw many years ago, as well as many times since) which are not in the actual movie in which I would have loved to see in the dvd release of this movie... I doubt I am the only one who feels this way... Someone should really think about making another release of this film including the deleted scenes I have no doubt it would make some money!!!