Normally I don't add a review if there are so many already, but I just wanted to add a few thoughts about my overall impression. First off, I am a HUGE John Cusack fan; and the thing that I usually like about him is that no matter WHAT role he plays, he basically is always... well, John Cusack. And that is just fine. BUT, and it is a BIG BUT like Mariah Carey's... since this is a period piece and it is about a VERY well known, specific personality, I don't know, but I think that his choice to play it like he always does was not correct. I think in THIS case he really DID need actually to create another, darker, more melancholy persona...
However, even with that said, I don't think that was what primarily detracted from the film. Now, overall the movie is lovely to look at and it is technically just fine and the tone is good since the director pretty much decided just to go the direct Thriller route. Okay... Personally, since it's setting is during that time, I think it would have played a LOT better if they had gone for a more Gothic look and tone, rather than giving it such an almost contemporary feel. It's like the producers got together and said, 'We want you to make another version of 'SHERLOCK HOLMES' (the one starring the excellent Robert Downer Jr.) But, considering the type of dark, tortured character and what this movie is about, I do not think that was the right choice.
A good example of sort of what I mean is the bloody EXCELLENT recent version of 'THE WOLF MAN' with B Del Torro. Now THAT film was frigg'n DRENCHED in Gothic atmosphere and REALLY made you feel that you were in the setting and time with a sh*tload of mood to spare. I personally feel that if they had approached this film a bit more with that slant rather than trying to copy the slick 'SHERLOCK HOLMES', I do honestly think it would have been much more powerful and substantive.
But, with that said, the director taking the film in the direction that he did, since he was either told to do so or chose to go that route, I think he still did a really decent job of putting out a quality movie that is entertaining. I just think that between Cusack's portrayal and the direction they chose to take the story detracted from what could have been a much stronger film.
So, yes, somewhat enjoyable, but I feel to some degree, out of place...
However, even with that said, I don't think that was what primarily detracted from the film. Now, overall the movie is lovely to look at and it is technically just fine and the tone is good since the director pretty much decided just to go the direct Thriller route. Okay... Personally, since it's setting is during that time, I think it would have played a LOT better if they had gone for a more Gothic look and tone, rather than giving it such an almost contemporary feel. It's like the producers got together and said, 'We want you to make another version of 'SHERLOCK HOLMES' (the one starring the excellent Robert Downer Jr.) But, considering the type of dark, tortured character and what this movie is about, I do not think that was the right choice.
A good example of sort of what I mean is the bloody EXCELLENT recent version of 'THE WOLF MAN' with B Del Torro. Now THAT film was frigg'n DRENCHED in Gothic atmosphere and REALLY made you feel that you were in the setting and time with a sh*tload of mood to spare. I personally feel that if they had approached this film a bit more with that slant rather than trying to copy the slick 'SHERLOCK HOLMES', I do honestly think it would have been much more powerful and substantive.
But, with that said, the director taking the film in the direction that he did, since he was either told to do so or chose to go that route, I think he still did a really decent job of putting out a quality movie that is entertaining. I just think that between Cusack's portrayal and the direction they chose to take the story detracted from what could have been a much stronger film.
So, yes, somewhat enjoyable, but I feel to some degree, out of place...