the importance of being earnest

I watched HBO's Empire Falls until 1:30 a.m. in the morning and I have to say that it was a bit overly-earnest" for my liking. What is it about "critically-acclaimed movies based on critically acclaimed books" that makes everyone turn so damn pretentious?

While the movie boasted a large, star-studded cast, I would say just about everyone was over-acting.  I felt as if the movie was adapted from a play the way it felt so "stagey."

In my opinion Paul Newman was perfect.  And the young actress (the only non-star) , Danielle Panabaker, who played Helen Hunt and Ed Harris' daughter was compelling and completely believable.  Other than that, it seemed as if every character was dropped into the story merely as a "quirky" Emmy-stealing actor's dream role.

I would guess that the main problem is that the author, Richard Russo, adapted his novel for screenplay.  The adaptation could have used someone like a Paul Haggis who knows how to streamline novel adaptations and understands that the beats and acts in a novel are much different from those in film. 

My main pet peeve -- the voiceover -- which was unnecessary and really cheesy.  It made the entire movie feel like a Pepperidge Farm commercial. 

Also -- the dialogue -- When you have amazing actors who can convey so much with just a look, you don't have to have them say bad dialogue that states the obvious.

The flashbacks -- were not done well at all.  I though Ed Harris looked slightly retarded when he was painting the church and remembering his mom. 

The drama -- I watched the film having never read the book, and by the time Ed realized who Charlie Mayne was (in a big revelation) I was like  "duh, was that a secret?"

In the end, the film felt like a very DATED TV playhouse dramatization of say a Tennessee Williams play.  It didn't feel as if it had much relevance for a modern audience even though the BIG SHOCKING ENDING - was torn from the headlines. 

Unfortunately, that scene happened so quickly as in "what just happened" that it didn't even seem like it belonged in the movie.  And instead of showing how the big event shook and rocked the small town, instead they showed 20 minutes of the slowest-paced scenes I've ever seen.  Instead of building up to a big finish, it sort of went out like a "fart."

Comments

[Jennifer]

I'm really sorry to hear this. I'd been looking forward to watching it, even though movies never appease my visions of the black type dancing on the ivory pages.

[Kate]

I totally agree with you about Danielle Panabaker. She was incredible.