Just came back from finally seeing The Wolfman with Benecio del Torres and Anthony Hopkins. I loved the old Universal film, and didn’t really have high hopes for the remake. Really. Hollywood NEEDS good content because 4 out of 5 films that we waste money on these days are thin of plot, character, or acting or just plain bad. So, after being highly disappointed in Shutter Island last week… Let’s just say, I figured The Wolfman wouldn’t measure up to the old film.
The beginning is a good boo, though, and it definitely has several other seat jumpers. There’s a scene in the Gypsy camp that would make Maria Ouspenskaya, the original Maleva (the Gypsy fortune teller), proud. Geraldine Chaplin (Dr. Zhivago’s wife in the movie of that name and Charlie Chaplin’s daughter) gave a fine performance and it was interesting to see her in a role. I haven’t for a long time, and after just watching Dr. Zhivago a week or so ago, the resemblance to her young self is dramatically changed. Still, there was no mistaking her. Her eyes are her dead giveaway.
Actually, all of the acting was very good. Anthony Hopkins is, as always, remarkable as the father. Benecio del Torres played a good Laurence, and I kept trying to place Emily Blunt throughout the film. She was a very good Gwen, and my daughter reminded me that she was one of the sisters in Sunshine Cleaning. Aha! moment. And of course, Hugo Weaving was a good Scotland Yard detective.
The story was a tad off the original, though. Rather than Gwen being a shopkeeper in the town, she was Laurence’s dead brother’s fiance. She didn’t seem all that broken up over her dead lover, and rather quickly became enamored of the living brother (del Torres), too. I mean, she didn’t seem to shed a tear over poor Ben, and almost gave up her life trying to save Laurence. So quickly? One kiss and she’s ready to die for the guy? Please! I mean, I could see some warm feelings, but give up your life for someone you hardly know, who’s a really real monster. Nah… wouldn’t happen.
I don’t care who the person is. If you’re hovering over me with your fangs bared, your claws ready to rip my throat out, and really, really bad “I just ate someone’s intestines” breath… I’d have to shoot you. Sorry… That’s just how I roll.
There’s another spot that made little sense to the story, but telling you would be a spoiler and well… I HATE that so I can’t tell you, but look for the reason that the brother died. Pretty lame-o and highly contrived.
Anyway, The Wolfman was a good movie to watch on a bleak, rainy Saturday afternoon, and though I enjoyed it, I could have waited for DVD. Next week… Alice in Wonderland. Looks fun, and love Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. Plus, the story well… I grew up with it, didn’t you? I don’t care how old you are, I’m sure that Alice has been on your tube or hopefully, in your books.
The fact that few people read anymore is really, really disappointing to me. But that’s another post.
The Wolfman gets 4 stars for the acting, but loses a point for the story, which I feel is rather poorly crafted.
Gonna write my own danged movie. In fact, I’ve had one started for years. 
