MARIE ANTOINETTE [2006]

Written and Directed by Sofia Coppola

Starring:  Kirsten Dunst, Jason Schwartzman and Rip Torn

If you have seen a Sofia Coppola movie, I think you can know what to expect. Very well directed and with beautiful cinematography, but the storyline is always so slow and uneventful (her „masterpiece” in this area is „Somewhere”), that it tested my patience in so many moments, especially in the first hour of the movie. I didn’t knew it was her work until halfway through the movie, when I remembered the film Somewhere and then the fact that she directed this one, and it was obvious. Sometimes, the visual is enough to capture the audience, but not this time. It all seems so interrupted, butchered, nothing really flows, and by that I reffer to the transition between scenes.

As I said, visually everything is perfect; the costumes and sets are wonderful and you can’t help feeling that french nostalgia and immediately wish to be there, eating a maccaroon with the queen. Kirsten Dunst plays her part wonderfully and it’s nice to see familliar faces like Rose Byrne or Tom Hardy.

But in the end, it didn’t cut it for me, it had many highs and lows and if i had to choose, overall, it would be stuck on the middle, not bad, but not sensational, either. Maybe it’s just me, I don’t really enjoy Sofia Coppola’s movies.

p.s. I just got my London Film Festival tickets! I will be seeing Restless, Carnage, Take Shelter, Martha Marcy May Marlene and I really really hope to get into Shame- I will be queing for that one!

Film or TV?

Lately, I have been torn between two worlds: film and TV! Although I love films and I hope to work in the industry soon, I almost always get dragged back to a TV show- maybe because it's shorter, maybe because it's something I am familiar with and I know the characters, maybe just because it makes me happy without even having to think too much about it! It's not as complex as a movie, but the story usually is real or attractive to a normal person, without being a masterpiece! I like the fact that you don't need to think too much about the editing or cinematography or the direction, you just go with the flow and follow the characters into that specific world! I consider them to be my guilty pleasures and I don't proclaim my love at loud, but I like shows like Game of Thrones, Sons of Anarchy, Supernatural, Criminal Minds,  The Good Wife, Castle, sometimes Grey's Anatomy, True Blood or Hawaii Five-o. You probably don't know, but I can say that I much bigger fan of TV than films, but I am trying to change that! I keep saying to myself- you have so many films you need to see, to understand, you have a film blog (wake up), but I constantly find the excuse that an episode doesn't last that long and that I will find time for some personal issues, as well (university work and so on). My fascination for films and film making is growing stronger day by day, but I can't find the time or the mood, to say so, to watch any! So, were you ever in my situation? What did you do or what do you normally choose? If you do watch TV, what are you favourite shows?

Into the wild [2007]

Director: Sean Penn

Writers: Sean Penn (screenplay), Jon Krakauer (book)

Stars: Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn and Catherine Keener

„Son, what the hell are you running from?”

Into the wild, the acclaimed 2007 movie, is a beautiful, yet very sad story. Although I understand, at least partially (you can never know what’s really in someone’s heart) what he was feeling, I always felt the need to get away from it, to run in the other direction.

Haunted by his life and his parents relationship, Chris decides to go into the wild, without having the need for money, career, family or other material things. He believes that love is not only in the human relationships, but also in every other little thing around us. Although he sometimes got in contact with some people, he always feels good and safe on his own, into the wilderness.

Until he couldn’t get out of it...and then loneliness hit and I just wanted to shut it down. Not in the „it’s a horrible movie” way, but in the „don’t hide, don’t do it” way. Because I do need human relationships to feel loved and happy, and I couldn’t, for one second, imagine my life to be that way. I need crowds, people, music, books, something to happen around me.

And unfortunately, he figured that, too, but it was too late. Although the journey (the movie) is wonderful, the end is bittersweet. You wish you could have done something for him!

Emile Hirsch was surprisingly good (I am not a fan of his), and the short appereances of Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener and Kristen Stewart (in a perfect Kristen/Bella part) add so much colour and life to a rather simple, uneventful story. Director Sean Penn does his job and the cinematography and music are really beautiful. Overall a great movie, but a very sad one!

„Happiness only real when shared”

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn

Writers: Hossein Amini (screenplay), James Sallis (book)

Stars: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan and Bryan Cranston

Step aside, it’s Ryan Gosling’s time!

Lately, everyone has been going to the cinema to see this movie and reviewing it online, so I guess it’s time to do it, as well, and guess what? I LOVED IT!

Let me just point out some things that I noticed and liked about this particular film:

-        -  The director, Nicolas Winding Refn, is fantastic. His style is so simple, yet very artistic and with a lot of nuances to his shots and direction, always capturing the emotions in a very beautiful, rather new way. The perfect example is the driving part, when the camera gets Ryan’s character in so many ways that you understand and are moved by his reactions. He is quite a revelation for me and I would gladly see any of his movies. (Another one to watch is Steve McQueen, but that’s another discussion)

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          - Ryan Gosling- and that says it all! He was amazing in this role, almost perfect. I don’t know the book and I haven’t read the script, but the way he acts the part is right up my alley- he’s cool, smooth, quiet, yet human in certain situations, and I like the way his character evolves, even if it is not in the good way. He is believable and nothing seems out of place when it comes to his actions. I hope he gets some recognition for it! And yes, he is a very handsome man!

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            - You know, Carey Mulligan is a very normal looking girl, there is nothing visually interesting about her, except when she acts: her expressions, the way she moves and talks, it’s so real, yet moving and just right, and she does that in absolutely every movie she is in. I respect and admire her for that; she just proves that you don’t need model looks to be part of Hollywood’s elite.

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         - The script- well that had some little problems, but overall it was good and it had some surprising moments.

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         - The pace of the movie was slow and for some, like the people I was within the cinema, boring, but I liked and it suited the story and the character very well!

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         - The song choices were interesting and I thought the sound editing worked very well, as a whole!

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          - Oh, and I wasn’t expecting to be that bloody and violent at the end!

    

      All in all, a fantastic movie that I recommend!

Did you see it? What did you think about it?

Midnight In Paris [2011]

Director: Woody Allen

Writer: Woody Allen

Stars: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates

‘Paul: Nostalgia is denial - denial of the painful present... the name for this denial is golden age thinking - the erroneous notion that a different time period is better than the one ones living in – it’s a flaw in the romantic imagination of those people who find it difficult to cope with the present.’

Woody Allen has his own style, his own genre of films. I haven’t seen all of his movies, but the few I did see had common details , like smart, funny lines, introspective thinking, with usual themes like love- for a person or a city. You don’t really expect from Woody Allen a lot of action or a fast pace...he likes to take things slow and relish on the important things; at least that’s what I observed.

This movie is no exception, but I loved it....and I find it a little different than most of them.  The story is about a man trying to write a novel while in Paris with his fiancée.  One night he wanders around the streets of Paris and is suddenly invited into an old, beautiful car that transports him into the 1920s, his favourite time period.

The rest is a succession of magic sets, with recognisable characters and lovely lines. If you’re not familiar, at least on a basic level, with universal literature and art, you won’t realise the importance and beauty of the people- Ernest Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso and others. 

Gil finally finds what he was looking for and starts a great adventure, each day waiting for midnight to come sooner so he can transport himself into the world that he loves and appreciates.  In the end he makes the right decision for him and starts living the life he was dreaming all this time.

I really liked this movie- the script was very sweet, inventive and interesting, the core subject was something that you can’t say it’s the most original thing in the world, but it represents a situation every human being wants to be in, at least once in their lives.  It’s an introspective story, it makes you reconsider some aspects of your life, but the main idea is perfectly reasonable and logic- people are never satisfied with their current situation or the time period they live in; they linger into the past, thinking they had it better. It shows you that you should appreciate and love the past, but always live in the present and make the best of it!

I highly recommend it- although if I can make a suggestion? Familiarise yourself with Paris in the 1920s, just names, places- it will help!

Did you see it? What did you like most about it? 

Revolutionary Road

[SPOILER ALERT] Detailed review

Revolutionary Road is a character movie. It’s not about the story or the design or the music, no, they are just the fine elements that help us discover the two protagonists, April and Frank.

They meet at a party and, as most couples in that time, end up married with two children. You get into the real story of the film in 5 minutes, straight to the fighiting, the tears, that sentiment of „what am I doing here? Where am I heading to?”. While April stays at home, taking care of the children and the house, all part of a routine she has rehearsed many times before, Frank goes to work everyday to stay in a cubicle and write boring reports. Neither one is satisfied, but both settle with what they have because that’s what people do, right? You were suppposed to live this life...isn’t it?

April is the first to realize that she can’t do it anymore, so she decides to move to Paris and eagerly tells Frank who is ok with it, although you can tell he sees is not a realistic idea. But none of the less, he quickly catches the „Paris bug” and suddenly comes alive, discovering his youth and his wife, yet again.  Although most of the people around them don’t agree, actually don’t understand the idea of leaving their perfect life behind and moving to another continent, they are forced ahead by the willingness of finally discovering their passion, their reason to live.

When summer arrives, the situation gets complicated as April find out she is pregnant. For her it’s not a step back, but another reason to live, but Frank is starting the doubt the idea, because of the unborn child and mostly, because of his new job offer.  As more days go by, April distances herself, wanting to get out this town, this life, away from her husband and with no baby. She sees it as a burdain and doesn’t  want it, that’s why she tries to get rid of it, to the dispair of Frank, who starts to lose faith and patience of her.

They eventually let go of the idea of Paris and become more agressive and sick of eachother, all ending with a big fight where April admits that  she doesn’t love him anymore and she doesn’t care. The next day, Frank goes down to the kitchen to find his wife preparing a wonderful breakfast. It seems like she has given up, realizing that she can’t escape this life and wanting just to get through the day like a normal woman. You can still see her suffering when she waves goodbye, when she’s washing the dishes.

One of the last scenes is the sad moment when she tries to abort the child. She sees the blood starting to drip and for a moment regrets her decision. I think the baby, for April, was just the symbol of her sad, unbeareble life, one that she desparately wanted to get away from. And finally she did, in a tragic ending of a great movie!

Kate is perfect for the part and Leonardo adds all the right elements to the story! Direction, photography, music, all beautiful!

It is wonderful!I highly recommend it!

Did you see it? Was it as good for as it was for me?Let me know!

TV: PILLARS OF THE EARTH [2010]

Based on a book written by Ken Follett

Produced by the Ridley and Tony Scott

Starring: Ian McShane, Matthew Macfadyen, Eddie Redmayne, Hayley Atwell, Sam Clafin

Well, let’s start by saying that, if you liked The Tudors or Borgias or even Game of Thrones, you will like this, too. It is very similar to those types of shows; it has the same scenery, the language and clothes are similar and you will find, as usual, brooding men, wars for thrones, betrayal, lust, sex and love, that will eventually conquer all.

What I did love and what it did raise the bar for this particular show, was the aspect of the architecture. The cathedral is a main topic here and it drew my interest. Among all those rather expected storylines of love and dispair, you get to see how one is built, so that, in the end, you can appreciate the true beauty and art of the Knightsbridge cathedral.  

The cast is great and I was so happy to see Rufus Sewell in it, he is one of my favourite actors. Eddie Redmayne comes out as a surprise star of the series, and so does Hayley Atwell and David Oatkes, although I personally didn’t like him at all, but he is good, I give him that.

It starts out simple, laying out all the characters and the different situations, by the middle of it (episodes 3-7) you can’t stop watching it, as each one ends with a cliffhanger, and the last one ties up all the knots and gives us the ending we all have been waiting for.

It’s the typical course of a tv series, but after finishing it, I couldn’t help feeling...unsatisfied. You know what I mean? Because it is so tipical and it deals with storylines we have seen before, I wish he has something extra on the side, maybe a quirckier character, a big OMG moment or sudden death. But hey, it’s just me!

Bottom line, as I said before, if you like these kinds of shows, I recommmend it! It is good!

Blue Valentine [2010]

BLUE VALENTINE [2010]

Director: Derek Cianfrance

Writer: Derek Cianfrance, Cami Delavigne

Starring: Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams

Blue Valentine was one of those movies that I love....the ones whose centre is the character.

Dean and Cindy, the two protagonists, show us their story, going back and forth into their time together. I love the way the script makes those connections between the past and the present so smooth, so meaningful, tying the loose ends together.

During the award season Michelle Williams as Cindy got the better reviews and the acknowledgement for her work, but in my opinion Ryan Gosling just stole the show. He is absolutely fantastic as a young guy, with no bigger plans than just have money to eat and smoke, until he founds Cindy. The way he interprets his part is flawless...it’s not acting, well, it doesn’t seem that way. It all feels so natural, so normal, even the little gestures, like the way he plays with his daughter Frankie. He just proved to me he can do anything and I can’t wait to see more of him.

For some, it might get a little boring, as it doesn’t really have enough action, but the story is so wonderfully told, that I personally loved it. I have to repeat myself and say that the one of the most important things that makes this movie great is the normality of it all, the realness. Like, for example, the scene where Dean makes Cindy listen for the first time their song...it’s not digitally put in the scene, you can hear as if it is played on the stereo.

It is a great film! I recommend it!

What did you think? Who was better: Ryan or Michelle?

Dead poets society [1989]

Director: Peter Weir

Writer: Tom Schulman

Stars: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard and Ethan Hawke

When I write a review or an article for this blog, I do it right after I see the movie, but for this movie I didn’t have one, for some reason (can’t remember why).

However, Dead Poets Society is fantastic little movie, I presume a great indie one for his time (1990s), and you should definately see it. If not for the great actors who now you see on TV (like Robert Sean Leonard from House or Josh Charles from The Good Wife), at least for the sweet and empowering storyline and the outstanding performances by Robin Williams and a very young Ethan Hawke.

Please check it out! It is worth it!

p.s. The movie won an Oscar for best original screenplay and multiple international awards for best movie!

Louis Theroux: The most hated family in America [2009] BBC documentary

Louis Theroux: The most hated family in America [2009]

BBC documentary

It is such a strange, yet very real story, one that you can’t believe it’s possible to have in our times.

It’s a TV documentary written and presented by the BBC’s Louis Theroux about the family at the heart of the Westboro Baptist Church, headed by Fred Phelps and based in Topeka, Kansas. It runs the website GodHatesFags.com, and GodHatesAmerica.com, and other websites expressing condemnation of LGBT, Roman Catholics, Muslims, Jews, Sweden, Ireland, Canada, The Netherlands, and other groups.

As weird and sick as it might seem to the vast majority of the people, it is normal and represents the law for them. What stricked me was the way the talked about their „religion” or beliefs, as it was the right thing to do, the best, and everyone who doesn’t think that will go to hell. Because that is mostly what they preach: hate, and I think that is what bothers me. I understand the fact they believe in something else, that they have certain opinions, but what I can’t cope with, is the idea that their way is the only way and the others should burn in hell just because they don’t follow their rules; they can’t co-exist with others.  I thought God wanted love and peace and tolerance, and that isn’t what they are doing. So who is wrong?

I think it’s a shame that their kids are raised to have the same ideas. That’s the most sickening thing of all, to me. The parents teach them those concepts and opinions so young, that for them it’s natural and normal...they can’t understand the opposite, so they are raised to be so hateful and to have such radical opinions. One case in point was the talk Louis had with the two daughters, who where about 16 or 17. They didn’t have any other friends then their family, no boyfriends, no life and they shared the same hate and preconceptions that the elders showed. It was just wrong.  They should have the right to choose how to live their life!

There is so much to talk about this subject and so many sides to listen, but I’m not going to discuss it any longer! Just watch the documentary and if you want, comment below! Please don’t insult or use agressive language!

Here’s the link: http://documentaryheaven.com/louis-theroux-most-hated-family-in-america/

FUNNY GIRL [1968]

Director: William Wyler

Writers:  Isobel Lennart (play), Isobel Lennart (screenplay)

Starring:  Barbra Streisand, Omar Sharif and Kay Medford

It is such a pleasure to discover old, timeless movies that enchant me. Funny Girl is a perfect example of that. 

It’s a sweet, rather simple, yet very entertaining and well done film, starring Barbra Streisand as a young Jewish girl trying to be a star. She is often condemned for her looks, but never gives up and always gives heartfelt, funny performances. Omar Sharif, her love interest, is very charming and has that special aura about him, one that only few actors have (Marlon Brando, Gregory Peck, Humphrey Bogart and others).

„Hello, gorgeous” says Fannie Brice at the beginning, showing us, for the first time, a very beautiful, sultry, yet funny and appealing in her own way Barbra Streisand. She isn’t the most beautiful girl in the movie, but, damn, she is charming and commands the stage every time she gets up there. I can’t find a flaw in her performance or look: big hair, short hair, night gowns, silly dresses for shows or amazing party dresses (like the one he wore on the bout), nothing feels out of place. It’s natural, real and I loved it!

The ending is a little bittersweet, but her closing song, when she sings „Oh my man I love him so” is perfect in every way- performance wise, look-wise and sound-wise!

Please do see it, especially if you like musicals or classics, like I do!

p.s. Special mention for one my all time favourite performances, Rain on my parade! It’s a beautiful, strong song!

Book: Papillon- Henri Charriere

One of my favorite teachers while in high school was the Literature teacher, a woman with the level of intelligence and knowledge so high, that I would often dream to achieve it. During a publishing house visit, she reached out for the book with a simple word on it, „Papillon”, and said: „This book changed my life. It’s wonderful”.

Ever since, I’ve been meaning to read it, but it took, I guess, 5 or 6 years to actually do it.

I must say I share her enthusiasm. It’s not life-changing, not for me, anyway, but it moves you and makes you happy, satisfied and grateful for what you have.

The pace of the storyline is so fast, that I admit to forgetting important details or events, as they are buried quickly under new adventures and places. But in 500 pages, give or take, so many things happen that it’s impossible to remember it. And I loved it. In an usual book, the authors presents, for example, a departure, in one or two pages, explaining the context, the characters, the scenery. Henri Charriere gets out of a prison, travels to the next and spends two days there in only one page.

One of the main attractions of this book is the actual storyline, as the actions and the situations Papillon goes through are unbearable: sometimes they are unfair, sometimes unimaginable, other times you think this kind of luck cannot happen to one person, but most of the time you feel the frustration Papillon feels.

All in all, it is a wonderful book that I highly recommend if you crave for some adventure!

HUNGER [2008]

Director: Steve McQueen

Writers: Enda Walsh, Steve McQueen

Stars:  Michael Fassbender, Stuart Graham, Laine Megaw and Brian Milligan

„I have my belief. And in all its simplicity that is the most powerful thing”  Bobby Sands

This tragic movie is just the story of a man willing to die for his beliefs, unable to determine the right or right thing to do because of the hate, oppression and conditions he was put through the years.

Michael Fassbender, as the political prisoner who decides to go on a hunger strike, portrays the character in such a way that it conveys all of the emotions and sorrow and despair of a true victim of this kind of situation. It was so real and moving, that it took the already amazing direction, cinematography and sound to the next level. He gave one of the best performances.

But the real star of the movie, for me anyway, was Steve McQueen- his directing style is so good, original and I love the fact that he knows how to emphasize every important aspect of the story in a subtle, yet moving way. Every shot and angle had a meaning, every little detail had its purpose; to give an example, I loved the scene where one of the prisoners receives a new cell- you can see his fear, feel it in his breathing.

Another aspect I liked, although it is unusual and not suitable for every movie, was the fact that it had no music, or very little- here, it brings out the story much better, the tragedy and the importance of it.

Hunger also delivered two, actually three, of the most disturbing scenes I have ever seen: the check up for hidden objects, the shooting scene(just for the surprise element) and the starving process of Bobby Sands (Fassbender had to loose a lot of weight for it and I can only imagine how difficult it must have been mentally to portrays this state of mind)- I won’t go into details, but trust me when I say it was shocking.

One more thing I would like to talk about- dialogue. This movie, as unusual as it is, in many ways, doesn’t really have dialogue, with the exception of one scene. A priest comes into the prison, trying to change Bobby’s minds about the hunger strike. And from that point you have 20 minutes of one the best dialogue scenes I have seen- one angle, two actors, with no cutting- brilliant. The angle shot changes after 20 minutes and you can really see, for the first time, Bobby Sands, with his fears, his beliefs, his passion.

All in all, it is a great movie and I highly recommend it. But you have to be in the mood for it- it’s not an easy one, but it’s worth it!

RESERVOIR DOGS [1992]

Director: Director: Quentin Tarantino

Writers: Quentin Tarantino, Roger Avary (background radio dialog)

Stars: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth and Michael Madsen

First scene, first discussion. Topic of choice? What’s the real meaning of the song „Like a virgin” by Madonna. Characters? The Reservoir dogs.

                I don’t know much about mister Blue, but let me tell you more about mr White, mr Pink, mr Orange, mr Blonde, mr Brown, and let’s add up to the equation Eddie and Joe.

                5 guys are contracted by Joe to do a job, and by job I meaning robbing a store for diamonds. The heist obviously goes bad and from there on the movie unfolds. In typical Tarantino style, you have bold characters, loud, with big egos and not as much to say. You also have, as usual, interesting storyline, but with big holes that never fill up- this is one thing that bugs me about his movies. Those mishaps don’t bother, they aren’t essential to the storyline, but it makes you wonder and I think some of them would make the movie go on more smoothly. Because it isn’t a walk in the park and it doesn’t have the normal pace: it goes back and forth, before and after the robbery.

                Mr White, a low key, but very involved and all-to-the-heart type Harvey Keitel, gets a soft spot for Mr Orange, the very young Tim Roth who is a surprise character (I won’t spoil). Mr Pink, the big mouth, big ego, big attitude, small Buscemi, is somewhere in the middle, trying to figure out what happened, and Michael Madsen, the cool, Marlon Brando, I-will-kill-you-in-a-heart-beat type just adds more fuel to the story, but gets the same ending as mr Blue (a very brief appearance) and mr Brown (Tarantino).

                All in all, it’s a typical Tarantino movie: great characters, nice music, cool attitude, but overrated and lacking in storyline. Do I recommend it? If you are a movie buff, sure, go for it. Looking for a Saturday night movie? Neah, go try something else and leave it for another time! 

Music: Wretch 32 ft Josh Kumra - Don't Go

As I am getting ready for my London Experience, I keep listening to British music!

Of course Adele and Amy Winehouse are on my list, even Olly Murs, but today I'm listening to the song above! It's really good; I love the beat, the chorus, the first 5 seconds of it and even the rap part, although it isn't exactly my cup of tea...I like it, but I don't listen to it a lot- rap music, that is :)

Hope you have a nice day!

JANE EYRE [2011]

Director: Cary Fukunaga

Writer: Charlotte Brontë (novel), Moira Buffini(screenplay)

Starring:  Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender and Jamie Bell

„It’s you, you rare, unearthly thing”- Mr. Rochester

„You, sir, are the most fantome-like of all”- Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre is one of my favourite books and I think their love story is one of the most intriguing, interesting and passionate I have ever read or seen! You can compare it to Heathcliff and Cathy, or Elizabeth Bennett and Mister Darcy and many more! Speaking of these two in particular, it has the romantic side of the Jane Austen novel, but also the seriousness and bitterness of the Bronte one. It is trully special and I love it because the characters are complex, unique and when they come together, it may seem strange, but it feels so right!

Being a big fan of the Charlotte Bronte novel, you can’t not love this movie. It follows almost perfectly the book, with the exception of the flashbacks and the omission of some minor details that are not so important.

As the 1996 version, the story moves rather fast in the begining, but director Cary Fukunaga focuses mainly on the love story between the characters, which is the most appealing of all. Unlike the last version, now you have their conversations, their little moments in the garden in which you can learn more about them and see the relationship developing as the story goes on. I love that!

This adaptation is wonderfully done, starting with the beautiful cinematography and lighting, all the way to the casting. Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender perfectly portray their parts and I have to give a special mention to Jamie Bell, for that, as well.

It is similar to Pride and Predjudice in some ways, and I discovered I love that period of time, where women always stood tall, acted like ladies, where the gentlemen were real men, on which you can count on, and honour,trust and family were highly considered.

If you read the book, or if, like myself, love the 1800s, you should see it! It is wonderful!

Movie: JANE EYRE [1996]

Director: Franco Zefirelli

Writer: Charlotte Brontë (novel), Hugh Whitemore(screenplay)

Starring:  William Hurt, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Anna Paquin

[SPOILER ALERT] Detailed review

You all know the story about books being adapted to the big screen. In 99% of the cases, the movie is not as good as the book and it doesn’t capture the essence.

In this case, and in my opinion, I have to agree to the majority. As much as I loved the Charlotte Bronte’s novel, it’s characters, the story, the scenery, I have to say that I hated the screenplay, the cinematography on the 1996 adapted version.

The first thing I noticed is the fact that many details are wrong or put in different order, so different that it changes the story. How can Franco Zeffirelli pass so fast through Jane’s childhood, how can he not properly recreate the moment between the little girl and miss Reed, or mix the dialogue so much that they use some parts in different context(for example, the discussion about uglyness or the incredible change of St John Rivers’s story line).

The second thing regards the dialogue, of which I spoke before. It is wonderful that they used the original novel as a source and quoted many important parts, but everything seemed so rushed, so fast, you couldn’t even focus on an important scene before passing to the next. A perfect example is the end of the movie and the quick change from love, to running away, to enheriting the fortune, to returning to mr Rochester.

Regarding the actors, I actually liked William Hurt much more then Charlotte. He was far more expressive and interesting than her, although I must say that Jane Eyre is, indeed, a very plain, simple, unexpressive person, so I guess she did justice to the role, but I would have liked more passion from her.

It is a good movie, but for the recent reader of Charlotte Bronte’s novel, it can be underwhelming. 

Soon, the post about Jane Eyre, the 2011 version!

A new start to a new life

Hey,

It's been a long time since I've written here, but things are going to change soon because I am changing...my life, my location, my university, almost everything!

That's right, I am leaving in a few days in a year-long masters program in London, United Kingdom, and I can't wait!

Although this blog will mostly feature my daily or weekly picks in all things regarding the media business, you may find some few personal pictures or adventures!

I really hope you like it and that you will visit again soon! Please let me know when you like/dislike/love/hate something...I'm always open to new ideas!

Aziza