Wuthering Heights

Remember that this movie is not a version of the classic novel-as with numerous other movie versions in the past-but an update, a free-wheeling variation on Brontë's somber theme.

There are strokes of genius interspersed with much banality. One of the former is to take the brooding socio-ethnic outcast of the novel-a gypsy foundling there-and rethink him as a petulant blond rockstar, a drifter from childhood whose only home is music. Mike Vogel alternately smolders and dazzles in the part, but the writing is ultimately too weak to sustain his efforts, which are commendable, and give us a character who is by turns passional, poignant, and heroic.

Erika Christensen is less compelling as the update of the tempestuous and incomparable Catherine. And this is partly due to the fact that, once again, the writing fails to elevate her character to a level of true complexity. When she delivers what must be one of the most famous lines in all English Literature-"I am Heath(cliff)"-we reach, emotionally, for a pinnacle that lies far below our literary flightplan. When I reminded myself that these characters were (and were meant to be) kids, and that they couldn't play out the grand adult passions of their counterparts in Brontë in a viable way, I connected better with the work.

The film's greatest strengths, aside from those observed, are what may at first appear to be its weaknesses, its earnestness, its flickers of post-modern flippancy, its fast-cut MTV style. The music is quite good, and there should've been much more of it. The symbolism of linking the electric guitar with the feral and blue-collar Heath and the cello with the effete and white-collar Edward is another masterful stroke and one has to wonder why this pairing of two seductive and powerful instruments was not used to better and more sustained effect in the score. The one scene in which the instruments duel illuminate the action and its psychological subtext with exhilarating but, regrettably, only meteoric effect. With that lovely musical moment and a few others of true emotional thrust, the film flashes its occasional strengths a us, like the lighthouse which houses its protagonists, but as at whole it cannot keep our hopes for what it could have been from the rocks beneath.

MTV does the Emily Brontë novel in a beachy rocking take on the material. One day, Cate and Hendrix's father (John Doe) brings home their new adopted brother Heath. Cate (Erika Christensen) and Heath (Mike Vogel) would fall in love. Hendrix (Johnny Whitworth) is an angry young man who hates Heath. When their father dies, Hendrix takes over and drive Heath away. Cate has a car accident and is rescued by wealthy neighbor Edward (Christopher Masterson). Edward's conniving sister Isabel (Katherine Heigl) schemes to break apart Cate and Heath keeping Heath to herself. Cate would marry Edward. Heath becomes a rich rock star and his return causes havoc.

The acting is laughable for the most part. Erika Christensen is the only good part of this movie. Mike Vogel could be a passable douche but he's a horrible Heath(cliff). He overacts in every scene yelling and screaming. He just doesn't have the charisma. The production is acceptable for a TV movie. The music ranges from uninspired to horrible. The movie aspires to be so much more but ends up being a weak young adult melodrama. It's an experiment gone wrong.

I was skeptical when I first saw the Calvin Kline-esque commercials, but thought I'd give it a chance. So I've watched it, and all I can say is bleh. This movie was so bad. It's rare that I hate a movie this much. Watching this flick reminded me of those funny scenes in Altman's "The Player," when the writers pitch their bizarre ideas to producers. I'd like to know which MTV producer decided that an hour and a half long music video adaptation of Bronte (but this time Heathcliff's name is Heath and he's a rock star, and Hindley's name is Hendrix) would be a good idea.

Even that might not have been so bad, had they not gotten every other aspect of the film so horrible wrong as well. The direction must have been "you're lonely, pout for me." I laughed out loud during all the "serious" scenes and was bored throughout the rest. The camera work was jagged and repeatedly reminded me that I was watching a bad movie trying to be edgy. My theory is that the sound guy got bored and went down to the beach for a few beers with his boom -- all I could hear in half the scenes were the waves. And in the other scenes, I wish that's all I could hear. And speaking of sound, what they did to the Sisters of Mercy song "More" is absolutely inexcusable, then again, it's inexcusable what they did to Bronte.

On the bright side, there was one entertaining scene -- specifically the moment when Johnny Whitworth licked Katherine Heigl's face -- and if you can tell me what that scene had to do with all the rest of the story more power to you.

Wow what a mess! Incredibly awful loud 90s type bad unknown rock soundtrack playing through over the whole movie. Terrible script and bad acting from some well known and usually good actors. It wasn't their fault. Low budget, poorly written and directed headache inducing mess.

Even if you pretend it's not an adaption of Wuthering Heights, the diabolical noise throughout makes you scream for the mute button. I was wondering if it was originally a music video that they shot 90 minutes of footage for and they added talking to it and decided to throw a load of scenes together and call it a movie. That's what it felt like. I only finished watching it because it cost me 2.50 to rent.

Man! That movie was really good. I love the singing. Had me smiling and crying.It was a great story, I love everything about it. The actors did great in the movie. I wouldn't change a thing on the movie. To me, it was done really well. I can't wait to see it again on tv. :D