I hadn't originally planed to see this theatrically, but I'm really glad I did. Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, in my opinion, is both the best cinematic version of the Frankenstein story, as well as my favorite new movie I've seen this year. This comes about through a number of factors. With my belated conversion to streaming services, I find there is not alot out there that seems worth the effort to see theatricaly. But this was ultimately able to intrigue me enough, especially given lackluster competition.
As a film this Frankenstein benefits from del Toro's direction, as well as a strong but (surprisingly for del Torro) not overdone aesthetic. Unlike most film adaptations, which focus on the middle of the story, del Toro sticks closer to the structure of the original novel and approaches Victor Frankenstein as a character that can't really be understood without understanding his strained relationship with his own father. He gives us a Frankenstein in which every major character has an unhealthy obsession, and in which the narrative can be viewed as the preparation of a cycle of family abuse. Also a great cast at top game, with Oscar Issac, Mia Goth and Jacob Elordi (who I was not familiar with) as standouts.There is also, flawed though it may be, my favorite ending to a Frankenstein story. ****
No comments:
Post a Comment