The Scarlet Letter
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Movie Reviews of The Scarlet Letter
Movie Review: Not the book, but a decent romantic comedy...er...drama!
Summary: 3 Stars
The first thing you have to do to get anything out of this movie at all is to forget the book. Completely. The movie so 'freely adapts' the book, that really all that remains of the book's plot is a ghost of a germ of an idea about a Puritan woman who gets pregnant by someone who is not her husband. That's about where the similarity ends. Secondly, you must be willing to approach this movie with something of a split perspective: on the one hand, it is a perfectly enjoyable story of romance; on the other, it has some really funny moments that were not intended to be funny at all. Like the love scene. It's both hot and hilarious at the same time. All that falling (catch the symbolism!) grain everywhere...goodness! Hope it didn't get anywhere...sensitive. Another hilarious scene is when Robert Duvall holds up baby Pearl screaming "THE DEVIL'S OWN CHILD!" And that dance he did with the deer carcass...kinda bloody but still funny as hell. Finally, realize that this movie is unabashedly a Demi-fest, as in see Demi look Defiant, see Demi look Witchy, see Demi look Sexy.... you get the idea. And sometimes you'll wonder if Gary Oldman wasn't having to hold back a chuckle or two himself.
If you can keep all that in mind, and admittedly, that's a lot of leeway to give this movie, but if you can do it, go ahead, and enjoy this movie on its own terms. Someone else here said it: it's escapism, pure and simple. It is NOT the book, but I don't think it ever intended to be. And getting to see Gary Oldman skinny-dipping is fine with me any day.
Movie Review: Not to be confused with the novel.
Summary: 3 Stars
It's a Demi Moore star-vehicle. And when they say 'freely adapted,' they mean it. I highly doubt Nathanial Hawthorne wrote a ten minute sex scene into his book. But hey... Gary Oldman is in it. And I stand firm in my belief that he can rescue just about any bad movie. He outshines everyone. Even Robert Duval, and that speaks volumes to his talent. (Again, why hasn't he been nominated for an Oscar?) Without him, the movie would be complete fluff. It borders on fluff as it is, but Oldman adds some depth, thank goodness. Moore is boring. The overt sexual-nature of the film overpowers the plot. Which is fine, if you don't really care about the plot. Honestly, with this much deviation from the original book, they could have called it something else and perhaps dissapointed less people (especially the literary types).Movie Review: Folks, you all missed the boat...Gary Oldman is the Star...
Summary: 3 Stars
This is an excellent movie, which actually brings alive a book that could be used as a doorstop. I read the Scarlet Letter in high school and it was abismal. Other than my high school professor's undying faith in the book, nothing was exciting about this novel. While there are a lot of inconsistencies in the DVD vs. the novel, it was entertaining. Gary Oldman clearly carries the piece, while Demi is just along for entertainment value. You need to see with for Gary Oldman's portrayal of the character. I imagine that he was trying disgusted by the ending being changed, since he is a competent actor. I definitely would not take this as the "Cliff's notes" version for those in high school, but it was worth seeing for Gary Oldman. You may also like Dracula. Gary Oldman is the vehicle behind many a good movie.Movie Review: Good movie, great stars, SO not historically correct!
Summary: 3 Stars
If I hadn't read the book before watching, I would have loved this movie. As it was, I read the Hawthorne novel and ended up laughing all the way through. Shamefully, only about 3 minutes of this movie was actually in the book. If you don't care about history, it's a very good movie for entertainment. If you plan on watching this instead of reading or need to write a book report on the story, please buy the Spark or Cliff notes - or - read the book - it gets better in the second chapter.Movie Review: Letter "S" for sizzling!
Summary: 3 Stars
Demi Moore is an early American colonist who loses her husband in a Native American attack. She seeks a new soulmate with the town doctor. She gets pregnant out of wedlock which is deemed sinful by the colony & is branded for her adultery by being forced to wear the scarlet letter "A" everywhere she goes.And to make matters worse, her husband wasn't killed in the attack & he seeks revenge on the man who got his wife pregnant.