Having read and loved this book several years ago, I was delighted to finally come across this 'mini-series'. I am usually reluctant to watch films of books I love, as a poor adaptation can taint the memory of a book. This film doesn't do that, but feels instead more like a different story. It's not that it strays from the plot, it just contains nearly none of the book's charms.
The highlight is the acting, with a brilliant and absolutely winning performance from Paul Newman. Hoffman, Wright, Harris, and many others create a star studded cast that could turn a shameful script into an enjoyable time. The screenplay is indeed lacking. Given that Richard Russo was the screenwriter, it either seems either an outsider could have done the book more justice, or simply that the book could not fit into a mere two-episode series. Either way, the result is a film that is filled with flat, stereotyped characters with no time to develop more substance. Newman's Max is the only character that really feels, well, real. That is a testament to Newman, as it seems everyone else may have listened too much to the director's cues.
Visually, the sets and locations give a good feel of the town described, but the editing and cinematography did not enhance this. I felt very aware that I was watching a film, and being told where to look, etc. This fit well with the voice over narration. Nothing feels cheaper than a disembodied voice telling me all I need to know about a film as it begins. It's a shortcut to actual filmmaking and makes me want to stop the movie before it embarrasses itself. I didn't though, and tried to overlook the sin. This was made even more difficult by the narrator, though, who sounded like he would be more at home in a Pepperidge Farm commercial. Adding more sin, we are gifted a truly sappy syrupy score that had no business being in the same film as any of these actors. The score alone loses this film two stars, at least. Try to ignore it, but I doubt that most can...
Lastly, a Maine accent is not easy. It's *not* a Boston accent. I'd say that a few of the actors went for it (Hunt, Hoffman) and did a respectable job, and some took a soft, mild approach or just none at all. This is a shame. A small town has an accent. People without that accent are not from there, left and came back, or are from money, etc. Of course this is not a major point of criticism, but it was a part of the story, with some characters having more power and control based on their education, class and background. William Fichtner's Jimmy Minty made this very point. Accents mark people.
The film is still worth a watch, but not something to have high expectations of. It is perhaps worth the time just to see two actors return from the grave: Paul Newman and his charming performance and Philip Seymour Hoffman who never disappointed. If your time is limited, just read the book instead.
The highlight is the acting, with a brilliant and absolutely winning performance from Paul Newman. Hoffman, Wright, Harris, and many others create a star studded cast that could turn a shameful script into an enjoyable time. The screenplay is indeed lacking. Given that Richard Russo was the screenwriter, it either seems either an outsider could have done the book more justice, or simply that the book could not fit into a mere two-episode series. Either way, the result is a film that is filled with flat, stereotyped characters with no time to develop more substance. Newman's Max is the only character that really feels, well, real. That is a testament to Newman, as it seems everyone else may have listened too much to the director's cues.
Visually, the sets and locations give a good feel of the town described, but the editing and cinematography did not enhance this. I felt very aware that I was watching a film, and being told where to look, etc. This fit well with the voice over narration. Nothing feels cheaper than a disembodied voice telling me all I need to know about a film as it begins. It's a shortcut to actual filmmaking and makes me want to stop the movie before it embarrasses itself. I didn't though, and tried to overlook the sin. This was made even more difficult by the narrator, though, who sounded like he would be more at home in a Pepperidge Farm commercial. Adding more sin, we are gifted a truly sappy syrupy score that had no business being in the same film as any of these actors. The score alone loses this film two stars, at least. Try to ignore it, but I doubt that most can...
Lastly, a Maine accent is not easy. It's *not* a Boston accent. I'd say that a few of the actors went for it (Hunt, Hoffman) and did a respectable job, and some took a soft, mild approach or just none at all. This is a shame. A small town has an accent. People without that accent are not from there, left and came back, or are from money, etc. Of course this is not a major point of criticism, but it was a part of the story, with some characters having more power and control based on their education, class and background. William Fichtner's Jimmy Minty made this very point. Accents mark people.
The film is still worth a watch, but not something to have high expectations of. It is perhaps worth the time just to see two actors return from the grave: Paul Newman and his charming performance and Philip Seymour Hoffman who never disappointed. If your time is limited, just read the book instead.