I had purchased this film from a charity shop a number of weeks ago. With the recent death of the author of the book this film was based on (John Fowles) I was inspired to watch his most famous work. I put it off for a few days fearing the film would be boring and unengaging but I was pleasantly surprised! I was in a state of confusion for the first few minutes of the movie, what on earth was going on?! Had they put the trailer at the start of the video, had I bought a behind the scenes tape by mistake? I was so shocked I had to stop the film and read some comments on here to clarify what was going on! When I found out there were two stories set in different eras going on simultaneously, I was eager to find out more and whether this device would work.
I thought the use of the two stories, one the plot between Sarah and Charles set in the 19th century and the other, the actors playing them, Anna and Mike was an interesting and original idea although one which I am not sure was entirely necessary. The use of modern appliances to emphasize when the film was in the 1980s also seemed a little brash.
However, the film really made me care for the characters and I was caught up in the emotion of it all. This was my first Meryl Streep film, and from her convincing performance in this, will certainly not be my last! Beautiful cinematography from Freddie Francis too. Although not an outstanding film, it is still one worth watching and one which deserved the praise and accolades it received.
I thought the use of the two stories, one the plot between Sarah and Charles set in the 19th century and the other, the actors playing them, Anna and Mike was an interesting and original idea although one which I am not sure was entirely necessary. The use of modern appliances to emphasize when the film was in the 1980s also seemed a little brash.
However, the film really made me care for the characters and I was caught up in the emotion of it all. This was my first Meryl Streep film, and from her convincing performance in this, will certainly not be my last! Beautiful cinematography from Freddie Francis too. Although not an outstanding film, it is still one worth watching and one which deserved the praise and accolades it received.