|
This
supposed to be a “thinly veiled telling of the McCarthy list and
hysteria that followed” or something like that. I won't mention anymore
of this as I slept through history class and, as you probably know I
watch movies for their surface value. Yes I admit it, I watch movies to
be entertained, not to be taught. This movie can, and has, started many
debates. From the McCarthy list to mass hysteria, to children behaving
badly and teenage lust. What I saw was an immature girl who got caught
doing something she shouldn't have and was afraid to own up to it. So
she and a bunch of her brat friends decide to accuse everybody of
witchcraft. Things get out of hand as everybody (and their neighbors)
start to accuse everybody else for personal gain. This leads me to the
two “lessons” or general observations that I got from this movie.
1.
Immature teens and children's word should not be law. It is painfully
obvious that they are following Abigail's lead and faking being
possessed. Where's Nanny 911 or Supernanny when you need them? If you
get caught doing something you shouldn't be, own up to it. Especially if
it will cost innocent people their lives.
2.
This movie is a perfect example of why Church and State should be kept
separate at all cost. When the court takes the word of an 18 year old
girl who claims to be possessed over an upstanding citizen and allows a
dozen scared girls to hold peoples lives in their hands, that's when
your priorities should be questioned. If you believe in God, don't you
think he has a higher court than what was in Salem? Especially when a
courts purpose is to provide proof either for or against an individual.
How can you prove possession and the influence of evil? You can't.
Ok, back to
the movie itself. The cast is terrific. Daniel Day-Lewis seems to me to
be the main character as we get to see him react to all of the
ridiculous hysteria that envelopes the town. His final speech about his
name was stirring and emotionally draining. From disbelief to revulsion
to acceptance, he hits all the notes perfectly. Winona Ryder – I just
want to smack some sense into her. I guess that's a good thing when
speaking of a character she is portraying. Some of you view her as
another victim, but I see her as the instigator of the whole thing. I
have no idea why I dislike her character so much but Ryder did a great
job. Others worth mentioning are Paul Scofield who is the Law. He has
such a commanding presence that you would be hard pressed to find
somebody more suitable for the part of Judge Danforth. Jeffrey Jones
does his thing as the local “villain”, he's out to get as much land as
he can and uses the trials as a way to get rid of his neighbors and take
their land. The second best performance in my opinion is Rob Campbell as
Reverend Hale. He goes through almost the exact same progression of
emotion that John Proctor did. Watch for Bruce Davison (of X-Men) and
Commandant Lassard himself, George Gaynes from the Police Academy
movies.
The
production was authentic to say the least. They filmed on an island that
had no power, roads, sewers, nothing. The crew had to ferry every piece
of equipment across on boats. Great costumes, locations and props.
Final
thoughts – Having never read the play I cannot compare it. I will say
that I wasn't bored to tears and actually started to enjoy it once it
started moving. If you are/were forced into reading the play and/or
watching this movie, relax, enjoy the ride. You get a day or two of a
movie with some decent performances instead of schoolwork, and, if you
actually pay attention, you may just get more out of it than you
expected to.
Keep
Reading,
Mitch
Emerson
mitchemerson@hotmail.com
|
