Of Mice & Men
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Movie Reviews of Of Mice & Men
Movie Review: Actors Born for These Roles!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I cannot think of a movie adaptation of a "classic" novel in which the actors were more suited for their roles than OF MICE AND MEN (THE CRUCIBLE is close. . .). No offense to Burgess Meredith (from the 1939 version), but John Malkovich was born to play this role (Lennie)! His physical mannerisms (walking, sitting, working in the fields, etc.), his vocal stylings, and his slightly cross-eyed status all contribute to the overwhelming "Lennie-ness" he conveys. His smile is the one I see when I think of George telling the "tend the rabbits" story; his voice is what I hear when I read the book now. Malkovich IS Lennie (or vice versa. . .). Gary Sinise is perfect as the quiet and understated George--he never tries to steal the show but lets the script and the plot situations stay in top priority position. The supporting actors are all extremely good, from Curly, his wife, Candy, Crooks, Slim, and the farm hands--no weak links in the chain whatsoever, which is rare. Exceptional performances all the way around, with great leadership from the two primary actors.
The script is as good as you can possibly get from an adaptation. It is not "word-for-word," but it is close enough for me as a high school English teacher. The differences, both additions and omissions, are not significant enough to draw any criticism for me, and they provide for interesting analysis (compare/contrast) for my students.
Despite the exceptional quality of this movie, the kids still like it!! Some very good movies are just too "good" for high school students to appreciate (THE GREAT GATSBY comes to mind), but this one hits them hard. They identify very easily with George and Lennie's plight (with some help from a history lesson in Depression era economics), Lennie (Malkovich) is an incredibly likable guy, despite his obvious weaknesses and social/mental deficiencies; George scores major points from the kids for his incredibly kind treatment (for the most part) of Lennie. The students are drawn to the very compelling social situation into which Lennie's actions force the two workers. The climax of the movie is shattering. Even though they know what is coming, the visual realization is difficult to watch without emotional reaction. I believe Steinbeck would have given Sinise "two thumbs up" for the last ten minutes of the movie, in particular.
Bottom Line: You're not going to find a much more compelling story, either in print or in a movie. The themes may seem slightly outdated when looked at in the microcosm of the Depression Era, but Steinbeck presented a big picture with these two characters and their plight that even today's kids can appreciate. Worth a rental for sure. Worth a purchase for me. Worth a purchase for every high school in the country!
Movie Review: "...and I get to tend the rabbits!"
Summary: 5 Stars
I want to say first and foremost that this is probably the most moving, touching and heartbreaking films I have ever seen. All the way around, where ever you look, this film confronts you with sadness. The story of George (Gary Sinise) and his retarded cousin Lennie (John Malkovich) is one for everyone to hear. During the depression these two traveling buddies look for work in California, and get work on a farm. Their not looking for any trouble, but trouble seems to find them in the name of Curley (Casey Siemaszko), the farm owners son, 'one of those little people that don't like big people', and because of that he has something against Lennie. Lennie is just a big teddy bear, one who likes to touch everything soft with his fingers, but he tends too touch them to hard. When trouble rears it's head in the form of an accident George is forced to make a choice regarding his relationship with Lennie. I don't want to say anymore for the less you know the better, but most of you have read the book or seen the original and so you probably know the ending. I just want to warn you that I've never been so depressed after watching a film as I was after watching this. That said, this is a masterpiece of a film and one of the best I've ever seen. Every performance is brilliant especially Malkovich who makes you love him and cry for him in almost every scene, as well as Sherilyn Fenn who plays Curley's lonely wife who seeks out George and eventually Lennie for attention. The sadness isn't without point I might add, for this film serves as a great example of how 'not' to treat others for it shows it heartwrenching detail the effect we have on others when we mistreat them, no matter what the reason. The phrase alone, 'of mice and men', is in reference, not to literal mice and men but to the simplicity in equality, how we, no matter what our race, social status or disability are all equal...theres no difference in mice and men for we are all the same. This is a classic story, and this is a brilliant adaptation that will warm, and then break, your heart.Movie Review: This Is What Great Looks Like
Summary: 5 Stars
From the original Steinbeck story to the Horton Foote screen adaptation to the lush cinematography and amazing performances, Gary Sinise's Of Mice And Men is film perfection. There is a terrible sense of inevitability present from the very beginning of this film; we know that fate will not be kind to Lennie. But despite his slow march to tragedy we are transfixed by the elegant simplicity of the telling. Sinise uses his knowledge of theatre to pare this classic story to the bone.
Malkovich, always willing to get lost in a part no matter how bizarre or extreme, doesn't act Lennie, he inhabits him. Watching his childlike behavior and listening to his repetitive monologues we understand completely why George loves him as he does and simultaneously finds him thoroughly maddening. Malkovich owns this role for all time, I feel badly for every actor attempting it from now on.
Extreme roles, like Lennie, allow actors lots of room to show off while simultaneously providing margin for error. Sinise, as George, has the hardest duty and comes through with a quiet performance that is nothing short of stunning. Every aspect of his complex relationship with Lennie is revealed almost inadvertently, hope, bitterness, anger, protectiveness, and pride to name just a few. As director he has stitched together all the elements of this film into an organic whole, no false notes. As director directing himself he simply inserts his own performance into a complete vision, his embodiment of George is generous - not self-serving.
The brilliance of Malkovich and Sinise should not obscure a host of wonderful supporting performances. Ray Walston (My Favorite Martian) is excellent, Joe Morton is terrific as always, Casey Siemaszko brings real malevolence as only he can, John Terry is thoroughly believable as a crew boss, and Sherilyn Fenn is exactly on point as the player who loses control of the game. Simply put, Of Mice And Men is what happens on those rare occasions when absolutely everything goes right.
Movie Review: Of mice an Men - Review
Summary: 5 Stars
The Sinise film Of Mice and Men is the best adaptation ever for John Steinbeck's masterpiece of literature. Both Lennie, played by John Malkovich, and George, played by Gary Sinise, are the best casting for the original characters.
John Malkovich's acting is magnificent. He played his role exactly the way you would imagine him in the novel.
His performance as the tall dumb guy, tending to get always in trouble with pretty girls, is as perfect as it could be. His thin voice, the grotesque way of speaking, his use of colloquial speech and his lack of mimicry are only some features which are perfectly acted and make Lennie's figure seem real.
As well as Malkovich Gary Sinise , also the director, is able to create a living George, a real "nice fellow", as the book describes. Being Lennie's best friend, he takes care of him and could be seen as the intelligent and planning part of this 2-men-team.
Similar to Steinbeck's model, both characters are clear-cut and it is easy to concentrate on the film's message. The movie gives an interpretation of what real friendship means, the problems of lonely farmworkers without families and the desperate situation of an America that suffers from a run-down economy.
Standing between these problems of the depression, George and Lennie have one dream in common - they want to buy their own piece of land. Therefore, to earn money, they are working on a farm where almost the whole film takes place. The wheat fields, the typical farm area and thousands of small details of the book have been taken into account. So this great and emotional movie is a mirror for the American people's situation during the time of depression, more than average entertainment leading back to a magical sense for directing and acting of Gary Sinise.
Movie Review: NOT being John Malkovich
Summary: 5 Stars
Simply the most beautiful, without-flaw movie adaptation of a novel I have ever seen. Gary Senise is wonderful in everything, but never as good as he is here and the role of George was never done so unforgettably. John Malkovich, whom I usually have no opinion of because he always seems to just play John Malcovich, is so spellbinding as Lenny, gives the role such dimension, that over the years since I first saw the movie, I've many times found myself reflecting on it out of the blue. Steinbeck's tale is spun out with such intensity in this movie version that, when we rented it years ago, my jaded teenagers went away claiming it as a find of their own.
Regarding the strange fate of this film, the way it fell from sight almost before it could be seen is simple, I suspect. I've wracked my brain wondering, but the other day I watched it on Ovation TV. There's a word used in the movie, just like in the book, and an attitude that was real in the time of the story's setting, that keeps movies these days from making it, in my opinion. There's also the young woman, wife of the boss's self-esteem-lacking son. Does she make all women seem destructive by nature, the unfeeling ruiners of peace and harmony among males? Not to me. But these days, "old good stuff" is censored and buried to be on the safe side, while new, awful stuff runs more rampant every day. It's like a mini Chinese cultural revolution around here.
Watch the movie, you'll see what I mean. Buy it before it's not around at all anymore. That's why I'm here.
Oh yeah, and don't think you "hafta read the book" to appreciate the movie! This movie stands alone. You don't have to know a thing about it walking in.