susan, susan, susan

Girl With A Pearl Earring
[2003]

Starring:
Colin Firth
Scarlett Johansson
Tom Wilkinson
Essie Davis
Judy Parfitt

average rating: ★★★
~
performance: ★★★
screenplay: ★★★★
plot/storyline: ★★★
cinematography: ★★★
~
19th Century England/Gothic Novel Romance

This movie is an adaptation of a novel of the same name, by Tracy Chevalier. I read the book many years ago, then watched the film to see how it compared. I can recall thinking that the film did a great job capturing the book's intensity with the main characters and lifestyle of the time.

I recently re-watched this movie with Caroline, and again, was reminded of how well the screenplay keeps up with the novel. Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson's performances were great given the type of characters they portrayed.

I think that it would have to be tough to adapt novels to the screen, since most novels come from the perspective of a main character and are loaded with his/her thoughts and feelings. It's difficult to incorporate those important aspects of the novel to the screen. This film is a perfect example of the thought-dilemma issue. Scarlett's character, Griet, shares her thoughts with the reader throughout the entire novel; how she feels about the events that take place in her life, all which are intense.

I feel Scarlett does an adequate job considering she can not openly share her thoughts with the viewer, as Griet in the novel does so easily. Scarlett can only use body language during those times/scenes. Colin also handles his character well, though a little flat at times.

And that's about that.