Bernie-56
Joined Jul 2000
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Bernie-56's rating
Possibly teens thought this was funny when it was released. It's not now, if it ever was. It hasn't aged well and now is merely crass. Granted, this review is based on the first 25 minutes, at which point I gave it away. I guess I can't take too many drunken scenes with adults pretending they're still 18. If you're a keen fan of Will Ferrell you may get something from it. I'm a Will Ferrell fan, but of his more recent movies. If you're under 30 and missed this first time around by all means give it a try but be prepared to be underwhelmed. Rent, don't buy, and don't feel guilty about abandoning it before the first third is over.
It's dated now but covers the golden years of film music in Hollywood, starting from the silent era and moving into the 1950s. I learned several things, e.g., that silent film music was far from spontaneous. Compilations of music were available to suit the mood of every scene, e.g., spooky, romantic, even orgy. When films were shot on location a couple of musicians were brought along to play for the actors as the movie was filmed, to help them get in the mood.
There's not many movies where I only last 15 minutes but this is one. Gratuitous inclusivity has produced a pointless disaster.
The producers went to some trouble to get the scenery and sets reasonably authentic. It's a pity they weren't as enthusiastic about the cast.
I was prepared to overlook the hero not being a thin, pasty-faced boy. He didn't get his appearance from his mother or father, that's for sure. Then Ham Pegotty comes on, also looking out of place.
The last straw was Agnes Wickfield. Agnes is pretty, calm and tranquil. David compares her to a stained glass window in a church. Agnes in this film is not only multicultural but plain, sturdy, bumptious and speaks using Estuary English.
I didn't wait around to discover how the scriptwriter was going to work James Steerforth into the plot. He's an important character and appears early in the book. Likewise Tommy Traddles.
My recommendation: don't waste your time.
The producers went to some trouble to get the scenery and sets reasonably authentic. It's a pity they weren't as enthusiastic about the cast.
I was prepared to overlook the hero not being a thin, pasty-faced boy. He didn't get his appearance from his mother or father, that's for sure. Then Ham Pegotty comes on, also looking out of place.
The last straw was Agnes Wickfield. Agnes is pretty, calm and tranquil. David compares her to a stained glass window in a church. Agnes in this film is not only multicultural but plain, sturdy, bumptious and speaks using Estuary English.
I didn't wait around to discover how the scriptwriter was going to work James Steerforth into the plot. He's an important character and appears early in the book. Likewise Tommy Traddles.
My recommendation: don't waste your time.