Ron Rash's extraordinary novel could easily be described as a cross between MacBeth and There Will Be Blood. It is a deeply nuanced exploration of human compulsion, vicious ambition, and ultimately, evil. It is a multi-dimensional, compelling, profound and disturbing story by a man who probably knows the dark corners of Appalachia like no other living author.
So I approached the film knowing that the source material held the potential for cinematic greatness – a possible modern classic. What I found, unfortunately, was a totally vapid, dumbed down, politically correct attempt to turn the character Serena (truly evil and vicious from the get-go in the book) into an admirable feminist "macho woman" who comes unravelled as the result of a miscarriage. Various other story elements have also been manipulated and severely distorted in the movie to make Serena more likable and understandable, especially the ending, which is a totally mindless departure from the book.
The same is true of George, her husband. In the book, he is a completely egocentric robber baron, hell bent on destroying the Carolina wilderness for his own gain. He is enthralled by Serena's power, even though she ultimately turns on him. There is nothing soft or decent about him. He's entirely about power, domination and control (with the sole exception of caring for his illegitimate son).
These are characters with extreme personalities, of a type that today we'd call sociopathic and psychopathic. Today we'd consider them sick and put them on meds or lock them up. Yet, historically, these were the standard personality types that drove the robber baron mentality of the era depicted in the film. At that time (and farther in the past), society tolerated far more extreme public behavior from the powerful than we do today.
Unfortunately, both the screenwriter and director seem to be in way over their heads and to have totally missed this point. They've taken irrational human evil from a bygone era and tried to psychologize it into acceptable, understandable 2015-style human frailty. What Ron Rash courageously depicted with unflinching reality in his book, the makers of this film have gutted and diluted into a gorgeous soap opera. They've turned a double proof hard shot of Appalachian shine into Mountain Dew.
If I could give this movie half a star, I would. I give it one star for its wonderful production values and design, which are truly Oscar-worthy. Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper are totally wasted here. I hope they've deleted this one from their resumes
So I approached the film knowing that the source material held the potential for cinematic greatness – a possible modern classic. What I found, unfortunately, was a totally vapid, dumbed down, politically correct attempt to turn the character Serena (truly evil and vicious from the get-go in the book) into an admirable feminist "macho woman" who comes unravelled as the result of a miscarriage. Various other story elements have also been manipulated and severely distorted in the movie to make Serena more likable and understandable, especially the ending, which is a totally mindless departure from the book.
The same is true of George, her husband. In the book, he is a completely egocentric robber baron, hell bent on destroying the Carolina wilderness for his own gain. He is enthralled by Serena's power, even though she ultimately turns on him. There is nothing soft or decent about him. He's entirely about power, domination and control (with the sole exception of caring for his illegitimate son).
These are characters with extreme personalities, of a type that today we'd call sociopathic and psychopathic. Today we'd consider them sick and put them on meds or lock them up. Yet, historically, these were the standard personality types that drove the robber baron mentality of the era depicted in the film. At that time (and farther in the past), society tolerated far more extreme public behavior from the powerful than we do today.
Unfortunately, both the screenwriter and director seem to be in way over their heads and to have totally missed this point. They've taken irrational human evil from a bygone era and tried to psychologize it into acceptable, understandable 2015-style human frailty. What Ron Rash courageously depicted with unflinching reality in his book, the makers of this film have gutted and diluted into a gorgeous soap opera. They've turned a double proof hard shot of Appalachian shine into Mountain Dew.
If I could give this movie half a star, I would. I give it one star for its wonderful production values and design, which are truly Oscar-worthy. Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper are totally wasted here. I hope they've deleted this one from their resumes