esmyth-1
Joined Jan 2006
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Reviews3
esmyth-1's rating
True, the movements of the characters (especially human ones) in this film are often stilted and awkward. But it is abundantly clear from the painted backdrops, and "special effects" scenes (strands of web swaying and glistening with the music, dandelion seeds floating away on the breeze, etc.) that the artists working on this film were deeply committed to creating a beautiful work of art -- and despite the obvious constraints of the budget, they succeeded.
However, there was no skimping in other areas of production. The song lyrics are wonderful, the tunes sophisticated, catchy and nicely arranged, and the casting is absolutely perfect (there never could be a better Templeton than Paul Lynde!)
Furthermore, the spirit of the book comes through intact. The nature themes and the rhythm of a farm animal's life are nicely conveyed and there's none of Disney's sugar-coating. Wilbur ages like a corpulant porker and Charlotte dies in the end.
So overlook the stuff that's reminiscent of Saturday-morning cartoons and revel in this trip down memory lane!
However, there was no skimping in other areas of production. The song lyrics are wonderful, the tunes sophisticated, catchy and nicely arranged, and the casting is absolutely perfect (there never could be a better Templeton than Paul Lynde!)
Furthermore, the spirit of the book comes through intact. The nature themes and the rhythm of a farm animal's life are nicely conveyed and there's none of Disney's sugar-coating. Wilbur ages like a corpulant porker and Charlotte dies in the end.
So overlook the stuff that's reminiscent of Saturday-morning cartoons and revel in this trip down memory lane!
Although this lovely work of art does use some of the cinematic vocabulary of surrealism, it is in fact nothing of the sort. It is a political and cultural allegory of Mexico's post-Columbian odyssey, as even a passing glance at Mexico's history will attest.
In contrast to "Like Water for Chocolate," "Erendira" expects the viewer to meet it at least half way so that understanding it takes a little work. (A good starting point is to see the grandmother character as Spain: proud, aloof, sorrowful and, above all else, weighed-down-with-history.)
The ultimate actions of the heroine are obscure because the "outcome" of history (i.e. the present) is always obscure, since we are too close to it for honest evaluation. Refusal to neatly tie up loose ends is the only real choice available to the director, given the ambitions of the film.
"Erendira" is gorgeous. A big-screen experience would be ideal, if you can catch it at a local art house or university screening. But if not, VHS is better than never seeing it at all.
In contrast to "Like Water for Chocolate," "Erendira" expects the viewer to meet it at least half way so that understanding it takes a little work. (A good starting point is to see the grandmother character as Spain: proud, aloof, sorrowful and, above all else, weighed-down-with-history.)
The ultimate actions of the heroine are obscure because the "outcome" of history (i.e. the present) is always obscure, since we are too close to it for honest evaluation. Refusal to neatly tie up loose ends is the only real choice available to the director, given the ambitions of the film.
"Erendira" is gorgeous. A big-screen experience would be ideal, if you can catch it at a local art house or university screening. But if not, VHS is better than never seeing it at all.