The Scarlet Letter is a piece of American literature greats. Written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in the 1800's the book has been considered one of the greatest piece of American literature ever. But when Hollywood caught hold of it in 1995 the story was changed. I'm not a fan of the novel, it was boring to me, but this movie brought a new sense of hope for me.
Hester Prynne (Demi Moore) is the wife of a British man and has been sent to Massachusetts to secure a house for him. Hester is quiet woman and lives on a coastal beach house just outside town. She quickly makes friends with locals including: Harriet Hibbons (Joan Plowright and becomes a little to close with the local Reverend Dimmesdale (Gary Oldman).
Soon Hester and Dimmesdale have done you-know-what and Hester is pregnant! This is strictly forbidden and she is placed on trial. Instead of pointing right at Dimmesdale she hides the father's name. Hester is forced to wear a scarlet letter 'A' standing for adulteress and shame is cast upon her. But soon a new figure arrives. It is Roger Chillingworth (Robert Duvall) who is seeking to find the father and destroy the relationship already known by him between Hester and Dimmesdale.
Instead of the boring book of magical happenings and devil worship, the film version offers a believable account and actual human suffering as seen through the eyes of two that are in love. The book has little to do with the film except for the characters and the story. None of the background stories are placed into the film like Hester in jail or visiting the governor's house. Instead screenwriter Douglas Day Stewart brings out a new story and a bit more attractive.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend this film for it was boring at times and some nudity present was un-needed. Demi Moore is average as Hester but Gary Oldman is fantastic as the suffering Rev. Dimmesdale. The score to the film was very well done and helped capture the suffering of the characters.
As I said before, do not watch this if you're a big fan of the book or one of those die-hard book nuts.
The Scarlet Letter. Starring: Demi Moore, Gary Oldman, Robert Duvall, and Joan Plowright.
3 out of 5 Stars
Hester Prynne (Demi Moore) is the wife of a British man and has been sent to Massachusetts to secure a house for him. Hester is quiet woman and lives on a coastal beach house just outside town. She quickly makes friends with locals including: Harriet Hibbons (Joan Plowright and becomes a little to close with the local Reverend Dimmesdale (Gary Oldman).
Soon Hester and Dimmesdale have done you-know-what and Hester is pregnant! This is strictly forbidden and she is placed on trial. Instead of pointing right at Dimmesdale she hides the father's name. Hester is forced to wear a scarlet letter 'A' standing for adulteress and shame is cast upon her. But soon a new figure arrives. It is Roger Chillingworth (Robert Duvall) who is seeking to find the father and destroy the relationship already known by him between Hester and Dimmesdale.
Instead of the boring book of magical happenings and devil worship, the film version offers a believable account and actual human suffering as seen through the eyes of two that are in love. The book has little to do with the film except for the characters and the story. None of the background stories are placed into the film like Hester in jail or visiting the governor's house. Instead screenwriter Douglas Day Stewart brings out a new story and a bit more attractive.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend this film for it was boring at times and some nudity present was un-needed. Demi Moore is average as Hester but Gary Oldman is fantastic as the suffering Rev. Dimmesdale. The score to the film was very well done and helped capture the suffering of the characters.
As I said before, do not watch this if you're a big fan of the book or one of those die-hard book nuts.
The Scarlet Letter. Starring: Demi Moore, Gary Oldman, Robert Duvall, and Joan Plowright.
3 out of 5 Stars