The Scarlet Letter
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Movie Reviews of The Scarlet Letter
Movie Review: "FREELY ADAPTED!"..note the opening credits! I loved it
Summary: 5 Stars
1995's RAZZIE WINNER! I loved it then, and I still love it on DVD.Why? Douglas Day-Stewart, who had already done brilliant screenplays for An Officer and a Gentleman (Special Collector's Edition), and The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, "FREELY ADAPTED" the ponderous Nathaniel Hawthorne novel,already a classic in it's own right, and dared to "tamper" with it in order to create a screenplay far different than the book-or did he? The characters are there;Hester Prynne and Rev.Roger Dimmesdale,caught in their "sin" of lust and adultery.Prynne, portrayed by Demi Moore, is as feminist as you can get in Puritan American Colonies.The vengeance of the the real husband,Roger Prynne played by Robert DeNiro is seething with vengeance and rage,and the Reverend,Gary Oldman seeks to be true to his love for Hester, while grappling with his own conscience.Now....all of that is in the book. Screenwriter Stewart chose to then build with that material and eliminate other plotlines and characters,change the ending to make ME happy,and voila...there you have it...THE RAZZIE FILM of 1995,directed by Roland Joffe (The Mission (Two-Disc Special Edition) and The Killing Fields and Vatel),whose films have won Oscars, but he is in deed no stranger to the Razzie (Nominated for 2008 Captivity (Unrated Widescreen Edition)).I personally found Hawthorne's characters and plot FAR MORE INTERESTING in Day-Stewart's screenplay, than in Hawthorne's book! I may indeed be in the minority, but so? This film kept my attention; I found the chemistry between Moore and Oldman wrenchingly palpable and loved the fact the story actually ended way different than the book! Throw in a soundtrack that cleverly uses the "Agnus Dei" from Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" and great cinematography and I embrace and welcome this film,despite any other critiques.I loved it...and that is what films are all about.Read the book if you must or see the PBS version,which is truer to the book,but equally as plodding (The Scarlet Letter...this really PLODS!!!!), or enjoy a brisk and fresh view of sin in the Colonies under Roland Joffe! I prefer "my sin" done with flare and panache and originality!!! LOL
I also recommend for comparisons sake Three Sovereigns for Sarah and The Crucible for more information on Early American Puritan times.
Movie Review: I prefer the movie, thanks.
Summary: 5 Stars
I honestly don't understand why this lovely work is so cruely dragged through the mud. It's hardly the first adaptation to stray from the "canon," and I'm absolutely certain that it won't be the last, so why complain? Artistic license is there for a reason...
Anyway, having never really cared for the book and its "fire and brimstone" approach, I found this to be a refreshing departure. This version ~focusing on Arthur and Hester's forbidden love, their respective struggles and eventual triumph~ is really quite endearing. I could've done with less of Prynne/Chillingsworth, but since he's the villian, that's not surprising. The supporting cast was equally wonderful, especially Harriet, Hester's best friend and supposed "witch." She was a really great character, as was little Pearl. It's a great bit of acting when the person doesn't even say a word and you can still tell what they're thinking. Love that.
Ok, so now that we've established that I'm terminally romantic and extremely attached to this film... yeah. Please try and respect the effort these talented people have put into TSL.
Movie Review: Wonderful film
Summary: 5 Stars
The Scarlett Letter has a little something for everyone. I am a longtime fan of Gary Oldman and as usual his portrayal of Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale was outstanding. Although I haven't historically been a huge fan of Demi Moore, I thought that she did an excellent performance as well. While I have seen other criticisms that it did not adhere closely to the novel, I found that to be a plus because you could read so many things into this movie such as understanding how the conflict between the settlers and natives may have been largely a communication issue. You also get what I feel to be a good understanding of the rigidity of the culture of those times which I am sure was largely the original intent of Hawthorne's novel. Overall, a great movie and one of insight to many aspects of human nature.Movie Review: Hauntingly provocative
Summary: 5 Stars
I've avoided this movie for the longest time because Demi Moore was in it. Isn't that silly? Even though I've enjoyed many of her movies, I just couldn't believe that a movie this important with her in it would receive the historic treatment it deserved. I could not have been more wrong. I was deeply engrossed from the first scene, and could not tear myself away. Demi herself is amazing, but the screenplay and the scenery, the production and the details pulled me right into the story and would not let me go until the very last scene -- and I absolutely loved the ending! This is an amazing work of art -- and I'm glad I finally had a chance to see it. Once I had, I knew I had to add it to my library -- a collection of what I consider to be only the best representations of our culture and our history.Movie Review: Picky picky
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't understand why so many people are being so picky about this movie deviating from the book. I'm in the middle of reading the book right now. There is maybe a total of 10 minutes worth of action written into it and I'm not surprised that creative license needed to be taken for the screenplay.
I love the story line and the way the actors portrayed the deep and painful struggle between their hearts and the status quo of the times.
Gary Oldman is overwhelming in his role. I can't tear my eyes off the screen. I'm not as crazy about Demi, but the movie is very worth watching.