Reviewing movies and series since 2012

07/03/2012

Wuthering Heights


Played by Juliette Binoche (as Cathy) and Ralph Fiennes (as Heathcliff) and directed by Peter Kosminsky in 1992, this movie is one of the many adaptations of Emily Brontë's book "Wuthering Heights". It tells the story of Heathcliff, Cathy Earnshaw's foster brother, who's not only that but her other half. When forces within and without tear them apart, Heathcliff wreaks vengeance on those he holds responsible, even into a second generation. 


This movie's rather slow. If you're not really interested in Brontë's novel, or you don't really like the plot or the book I wouldn't recommend it to you. I really had to struggle to watch it whole. 

The problem doesn't really lay in the acting, which is rather good, specially that done by Janet McTeer, who plays the role of Ellen Dean, a maid. Not to mention Juliette Binoche who plays Cathy and her daughter. Ralph Fiennes interpretation is really flawless and you grow to hate the guy. 

The music isn't really worth mentioning. It stays in the background most of the time, and can be overlooked except for a few times, in which if it weren't for the music, you would definively smash the whole screen. 

I think the problem lays in the rhythm. There are loads of beautiful scenery, and awfully long shots. It's tiresome and the action is slow, very, very slow. A lot of the scenes only relay on the looks the characters throw each other, which is very nice and good in a book, but gets on your nerves in a movie. 
One must give this movie the credit that it stays close to the book - at least at the beginning, which is the only thing I've managed to read so far. 

I really didn't like this movie, mostly because I think the characters a bit silly and - in Heathcliff's case - evil and idiotic, so as I haven't been able to sympathise with any of the characters, I was really unmoved by their adventures. 

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