"The Wolfman" Movie Review
32http://www.mannythemovieguy.com
My expectations were set very low for The Wolfman, Universal Pictures update of the 1941 film starring Lon Chaney, Jr. The production was beleaguered with problems ranging from changing directors to release dates being pushed back more times than we see Lawrence Talbot, the movies antagonist, transform into a werewolf.
But upon watching the film, I can tell you now that its not all that bad. The Wolfman is old school shockfest at its finest complete with Freudian overtones. The filmmakers chose to stick true to the mood of the original movie, a decision that is both a blessing and a curse.
Set in 1891, the film opens with the popular poem from the 1941 movie that says, Even a man who is pure of heart and says his prayers by night may become a wolf when the wolfsbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.
The man who is pure of heart and says his prayers by night is Lawrence, played by Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro. The actor is born to play the cursed nobleman who must bear the sins of his father.
Lawrence has been lured back into his family estate by his missing brothers fiancée, Gwen Conliffe (Emily Blunt). Reunited with his estranged father, Sir John (Anthony Hopkins), Lawrence investigates the mystery surrounding his brothers disappearance only to uncover his own horrifying destiny.
Screenwriters Andrew Kevin Walker and David Self followed the plotline of the 1941 screenplay by Curt Siodmak. Even the werewolf makeup designed by Rick Baker is similar to the original. But since its a contemporary take on the famous werewolf franchise, Walker and Self tried to add brooding and pathos to varying degrees of success.
The problem is the films relentless pacing does not have room for any brooding and pathos for our tragic hero. If you remember the original film, when Lawrence transformed into a werewolf, there were a lot of why me moments which made us sympathize with him. In the 2010 version, theres no room for pontification.
Director Joe Johnston took the helm of the film after Mark Romanek left production in 2007 due to creative differences. Before Johnston was hired, directors like Brett Ratner, Frank Darabont, James Mangold, Bill Condon, and Martin Campbell were mentioned.
Johnston has never been a director of substance. From Honey, I Shrunk the Kids to Jurassic Park III, his films are known to be stylish rather than smart. In The Wolfman, Johnston did not create an intelligent remake, but at least he churned out an entertaining film.
The production values of the film are superb especially with the two key scenes. First, when Lawrence is bitten by a werewolf when he visits a gypsy colony; and second, when he turns into a werewolf in London as hes being chased by Scotland Yard inspector Aberline, played by Hugo Weaving. These two scenes are reasons enough to pay to see the movie.
The performances from the actors are top notch with Hopkins leading the pack biting into his meaty character. His eyes hide family secrets that dare not be unleashed. I love Blunt as an actress but she was underused as a damsel-in-distress.
As Ive mentioned earlier, paying homage to the original is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because the 1941 classic gave the contemporary filmmakers a lot to work with, and a curse because by trying to stay true to the original, Johnston and company played it very safe and stuck with the formula.
One word of caution, this movie is Rated R for violence, heck even the wolfs transformation looks very painful. But you will be entertained by the film even though it lacks bite.
RATING:
THE WOLFMAN 2 ½ lycanthropy kisses