I almost never read film reviews and only commented a few. But this time I want to pose some questions: Is it the movie or is something wrong with me? Why didn't it touch me at all? That's why I watched the movie a second time after just a week. I got no answers.
I didn't hope to have the same emotions with the movie as I recall the Brittisch GRANADA TV series from 1981. And a remake is often tricky to watch, just like it is to see "the movie" after you have read the book. I'm sure that the TV photography will look awful after seen the movie. The photography of the movie is often stunning.... but perhaps a bit to dark? To much one side key lights totally cool? Yes, I agree, it's a "sad" story after all but why is the light in the whole movie almost dark?
The type cast is very good and they all act very well too. And yet, there wasn't a touching scene. The relation between Sebastian and Charles is established as if they are 12 year old boys, running around, having a naked swim, getting drunk, a kiss.... as if nothing seriously is going on. I guess that's the missing link: there is not a moment of passion in the whole movie. Even the short bed scene between Charles and Julia on the ocean liner looks like an anti-climax. After finding Sebastian and having to leave him in Morocco it;s a farewell with a gentle pet on Sebastian's shaved head and a bey without any emotion. You really wonder why Charles went to Morocco to find Sebastian. Just to do Sebastian's mother the favor after she kicked Charles out? Just for money???
The threads about Catholicism and the hypocrisy seems to be the only important issues. The homo and bisexuality, the adultery, jealousy and the secrets and passion are only established in a few verbal or short visual hints. Perhaps I should watch it a 3th time?
Oh what a coincidence! There is ONE official scene on internet: Arrival in Marocco. Even in this short scene is simple shot that suggests so much: the cut to Charles's point of view: the bed. Of course! That is why he went to Marocco! Not to do a favor to Sebastian's mother!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/imdb/vi2552365849/
I got the 3 DVD of the 1981 TV version... Just saw disc # 1. Exactly! The photography looks like an amateure video compaired to the new movie. It's to long to watch it... the new Sebastian is actually better... but the sensuallity between the 2 guys is unbelievable! And except the almost exacly same shot of the two with their naked bunns, there is actually no other so called nudity at all! It's the clifhanger in your imagination after each episode! You see it happen in your imagination only!
ReplyDelete