Reviews

While the trivia entries list a good number of literary and film works that the director stated during interviews that she drew from for "inspiration," she neglected to state in any of the interviews that were noted that she nearly outright stole the idea for her screenplay from a combination of "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and the South Korean film, "Parasite." And while it was an interesting and fun watch, I was disturbed during nearly the entire 2-plus hours of this film by this nagging knowledge acting as a mental "earworm" in my brain, which took a good deal of the pleasure of the film away for me.

The story was decent enough, every single character was as messed up, disingenuous, and one-faceted as any ensemble I've ever seen on screen, the acting was sufficient, and the set design, locations, and filming were well suited in my opinion, as was the limited soundtrack.

But the nagging fact that the entire concept was plagiarized from the two films I mentioned, just as the ending of "The Sixth Sense" was from the much better "Jacob's Ladder" made a decade before it, truly took me out of the film far too often for me to fully enjoy it.

Not a bad film at all, in my opinion. But surely, not an original idea, either. As the Bible says, "there is nothing new under the Sun." And drawing from other works for "inspiration" is one thing. But for an entire film to nearly be nothing but a remake of a combination of two other films is overstepping "inspiration" and simply unoriginal.

I'm sure if I hadn't seen either of the other two films, I would have enjoyed "Saltburn" much more, and probably would have had no real criticism of it otherwise. Just as I wouldn't have been so severely annoyed when "The Sixth Sense" revealed its "twist" ending, which was unquestionably stolen directly from "Jacob's Ladder." But I had, so it affected my enjoyment and deserved to be called out on it.

Let me begin by saying that along with a large number of other film genres that I enjoy very much, I am a huge fan of comedies, both light, silly, madcap, and especially dark. To the point that friends have refused to see comedies in the theater with me because my laughter is so loud and raucous that they miss the next four or more lines or gags because of my laughter. Even at home, I've been admonished for disturbing others with my uncontrollable excessively loud outbursts of laughter while I'm in another room with the door closed.

Second, when I was young, there was a movie theater within walking distance mere blocks from my home that seemed to show nothing but Jerry Lewis and Martin & Lewis movies, where we never missed a showing. And, at the time, I thought they were the funniest and most enjoyable films ever made.

However, now that I am grown and comedy in films and television has evolved a great deal, and I assume my taste in them has as well, before the 30 minute mark in this film, I haven't laughed or even cracked a smile even one time. In fact, I have been literally cringing repeatedly, and even fast-forwarded through the "musical number" with Lewis and Ed Wynn at the pool in order to save my sanity.

The strange thing is that of all the Jerry Lewis movies that I saw as a young child, this had been one of my favorites. But already, at this point in the film, I couldn't begin to remember or tell you why. What I CAN say is that it is obvious that the writer/director, according to Imdb, was in charge of many of what I consider to be the greatest cartoons ever made, Looney Toons. Because this film very much resembles a live-action cartoon. So far it is full of the most goofy mugging by Lewis, long, overdone gags, even Lewis' walk and other movements and mannerisms remind me of Daffy Duck or some other silly cartoon character. I'm waiting for an Acme anvil to drop on his head, followed by stars circling his head, as he mugs once again, and clumsily stumbles back to work. And don't get me started on his annoying, child-like voice.

I just don't get it, or why this film appealed to me as a child, being that, although my small family was dirt poor, in all humility, I considered myself to be a pretty sophisticated kid with sophisticated taste in all of the arts. Maybe once I get through to the end of this movie my opinion will have changed, at least a bit. But right now, exactly 32 minutes and 32 seconds in, I am doubtful. Especially after reading some of the other reviews. If so, I may update my review. But at this moment in the film, as they say, it is what it is.

This is not so much a review of this decent musical film made over 40 years ago about a period in time that took place two decades earlier than when the film was made, but a comment to those who complained that the amazing and perfectly-cast Ben Platt was too old to play a teenager at the age of 26 in the film version of HIS musical, "Dear Evan Hansen."

To those of you of that foolish opinion, in spite of the fact that Ben was the youngest person to ever win a Tony Award for Lead Actor in a Musical for originating the role he portrayed in the film, please take a moment to look up the ages of the majority of the actors in this film. Most were in their late 20s, and one was even in her 30s!

So, if you had no issue with the ages of the actors in this film portraying teenagers, but did have an issue with Ben Platt playing one while in his mid-20s, I have an issue with you. Especially since he originated the role on Broadway, AND owned it, whereas no on in "Grease" had any connection whatsoever to the Broadway musical, but were cast merely because they were big or well-known actors in Hollywood at the time. So there.

What else can I say except that this film completely blew me away and left me reeling, and after watching the Netflix remake two nights later (tonight), it paled in comparison to this one for multiple reasons. If you want to know why, please read my lengthy review for that film here on IMDb where I mention the details. It's too late, and I'm too tired to write another complete review for this incredible film. All I can add is that if you can find this film, don't bother with the Netflix version. It wasn't bad (how could it be when it lifted 98% of the dialogue from this film?), but there were a few messed up things that truly ruined the story and the intensity of the film overall compared to this one. Good night.

I have been itching to watch this film since it first came out last October but never got around to it until tonight. But before I watched it, a few nights ago I read a number of reviews here that said that the original Danish film on which it is based was much better for a number of reasons, with which I wholeheartedly agree, along with a few of my own reasons.

So, two night ago, I watched the original and it blew me away like no other film of its type had done in a very long time. It was absolutely riveting, extremely well acted, both by the emergency services operator and every voice actor with whom he spoke on his calls. Even the background sounds during the calls were well done and added important elements to the story. And the plot twists were just so unexpected and shocking that I was still thinking about them for hours and even the next day after viewing.

And although I knew everything that was going to happen before it happened, which I realize obviously detracted from my being surprised by anything in the story, I admit that this film would have stood as a great film on its own for me if I hadn't seen the original first. Especially since 98% of the dialogue was lifted verbatim from the Danish version, and Jake's performance was unsurprisingly great, which I expected being a huge fan of his. But without spoiling anything for those who haven't seen either version, I will tell you exactly the things that this film got terribly wrong that ruined it for me, which were the few items that the writer didn't lift from the original, and either changed, deleted, or added.

First off, one of the most important and horrifying plot points early on in the film was changed completely, which took a gigantic amount away from the overall impact of the story, especially later on.

And while I am a huge fan of film scores and sound design, being that I watch absolutely everything while wearing headphones which totally immerses me in whatever I am viewing, the second and most annoying item in this version was the addition of music and sound design that while very good, not only covered a good deal of the dialogue, but took away from the intensity of the story rather than adding to it. The Danish version had none whatsoever that I can remember, and it made the story that much more intense to have nothing but silence in many places throughout the film

A third item was moving one of the most surprising and shocking plot twists that changes what the viewer had believed about everything that had occurred up to that point to a slightly earlier place in the film, and which caused everything that happened after it to have a different effect. It was akin to a time travel movie where someone goes back in time to change the present, and it was just messed up to make that seemingly minor but actually drastic change to the original story.

And the icing on the cake was the ridiculous and totally unnecessary ending/epilogue.

So, while this was by all means a great film, it was only so by the use of most of the original dialogue and the star's performance. Other than that, it pales in comparison in a huge way to the original due to the reasons stated above. And if I hadn't seen the original, I'm certain I would have had no problem with it and would have enjoyed it much more. So with that in mind, other than the fact that the Danish version is nearly impossible to find, this film really didn't need to be made at all.

First of all, after seeing the original version of this amazing musical during its initial Broadway run in the mid-70s nearly 40 years ago which was one of the many incredible Broadway musicals to come out of that decade, and then seeing the most horrible (I can't say it enough) HORRIBLE vomit-inducing film version with 34-year-old Diana Ross in 1978 that was SO bad that it lost nearly half its budget, and then hearing that they were using a woman in the role of the Wiz this time around, I must admit that I went into this with more than a good deal of trepidation and very low expectations.

Well, other than Queen Latifah's performance of her two songs which were keyed so low compared to the original B'way version (sung by the still-amazing Andre DeShields) that she sounded like Bea Arthur and they lost all their energy and excitement, and the one ridiculously corny "new" song sung by Dorothy and her friends before leaving the Wiz's palace to try and do away with Evilene, EVERY SINGLE PERFORMANCE was flawless! All of the singing and dancing was done extremely well (although while Ms. Blige did do a fine job of acting and singing, she is certainly no gospel-singing Mabel King). The choreography was difficult yet fun and very well executed. But the main events were the costumes, wigs, makeup, sets, lighting, and special/video effects. For what was essentially a "stage" show, these items made a televised version of this show amazingly spectacular to watch. The one costume that really stood out for me was Glinda's golden spun-sugar gown near the end. While as a young child watching the 1939 version once a year on broadcast TV and seeing Billie Burke in that incredibly beautiful humongous pink sparkly gown and crazily-tall star-topped crown, I even took to drawing it once in awhile even though I had no skill in drawing. To me it was that beautiful and memorable. But this gown just took my breath away. It reminded me of something done with the help of CGI from last year's live-action Disney version of "Cinderella."

Most of the stand-out singing, dancing, and acting performances came from the four main characters, all of which were wonderful. But Uzo Aduba totally blew me away with her song, "If You Believe" as she sounded every bit as good as Dee Dee Bridgewater from the original B'way version which was absolutely shocking as I didn't even know Ms. Aduba could sing let alone have such great vocal chops.

However, I think the greatest flaw (and I hate to say it since I have always been one of his biggest fans, both of his writing and acting) was Harvey Fierstein's script. In fact, I almost stopped my DVR after the first four minutes in Kansas because the script was so far removed from the original. But I must compliment him highly on the touching scene when the foursome catches the "Wiz" in her bathrobe and she explains to each of them how they already have what they have been seeking, and how she came to be "The Wiz," as well as Dorothy's convincing speech to her about her being trapped in the dark, in secrecy, alone, and unloved. Very redeeming writing compared to much of the "updated" mediocre writing earlier.

Before I end this review, I must give Stephanie Mills her due. When she performed on Broadway she was merely 17. Now she is in her 50s, and believe it or not, her voice sounds EXACTLY the same as it did 40 years ago. In fact, I am listening to her version of "Home" from the Original Broadway Cast Recording at this very moment, and there is absolutely NO difference in the quality or strength of her voice in this new version. Kudos, Ms. Mills for hanging onto your amazing chops after all these years.

One more thing I have to mention to those who stated in the Message Boards that Shanice Williams was "too old" to play Dorothy. In the 1939 film version of "The Wizard of Oz" Judy Garland was 16, in the original Broadway version of "The Wiz" Stephanie Mills was 17, and Ms. Williams is only 19. In comparison, Diana Ross was 34 when she did the film version, so who was really too old to play Dorothy? And what difference is age in a performer, as long as they don't LOOK too old (as Ms. Ross definitely did in 1978). Just watch any of the four comedies on ABC on Wednesday nights and you will see a good number of young actors in their 20s playing high school and college students much younger than their actual ages. This has been going on in film and TV since forever.

In closing, an all-around surprisingly terrific "live" TV version of a great American Broadway Musical. I enjoyed it much more than I had expected.