In the novel, the character of Merricat unravels slowly. It dawns on you that all is not as it seems and that our narrator is indeed, quite disturbed. Here it's all presented immediately. The plot, such as it is, and the characters and Merricat's flaws are revealed in the first five minutes. It's supposed to be a gothic horror/mystery story. Here it's unrealistic farce.
Farmigga is a very good actress and does a good job here. With a better director she may have been great, but Merricat is over done with her silly body movements, all displayed far too early.
The music too, presents it as a near satire. The structure doesn't work either, with the Last Tuesday cards etc. Why? It's not in the book and not necessary. The writer doesn't seem to represent the material faithfully. Its as though he's misunderstood its tone. Admittedly, its a tough novel to recreate for the screen. In better hands, it could work but this approach is certainly all wrong. It's an unrealistic pantomime. It aligns occasionally but its too late to save it. The only redeeming qualities are the cinematography and the production design. I did like the nod to Alien with the exterior close up of the cat with the house in the background with the hint of the Jerry Goldsmith score. A few seconds of homage, perhaps suggesting Merricat is the Alien and the house, the Nostromo? An odd homage but its there.
Charles is over the top in key scenes. Again, certain behaviors are not in the book.
Even Crispin Glover feels miscast. A very good actor. Just not here. You can't blame the actors'. The director, writer and producer must bear the brunt of this failure.
The music too, presents it as a near satire. The structure doesn't work either, with the Last Tuesday cards etc. Why? It's not in the book and not necessary. The writer doesn't seem to represent the material faithfully. Its as though he's misunderstood its tone. Admittedly, its a tough novel to recreate for the screen. In better hands, it could work but this approach is certainly all wrong. It's an unrealistic pantomime. It aligns occasionally but its too late to save it. The only redeeming qualities are the cinematography and the production design. I did like the nod to Alien with the exterior close up of the cat with the house in the background with the hint of the Jerry Goldsmith score. A few seconds of homage, perhaps suggesting Merricat is the Alien and the house, the Nostromo? An odd homage but its there.
Charles is over the top in key scenes. Again, certain behaviors are not in the book.
Even Crispin Glover feels miscast. A very good actor. Just not here. You can't blame the actors'. The director, writer and producer must bear the brunt of this failure.