Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-23 22:25:18

Almost.

I must say outright that this book is one of the best Edith Wharton booksyou could possibly read, so I was a little dubious going into thisfilm.I was pleasantly surprised though by the detail and care that the directorand actors put into it, although I would quibble with one point- I foundthat rather than the Whartonian 'repression', the performers seemed to beawkwardly stumbling with their emotions- it's a fine line to besure.Liam Neeson does a wonderful job in this film, beautifully nuancedperformance, and Joan Allen (as always) just about walks away with thefilm.Absolutely worth a viewing, but try the book first, it'ssuperb.

2012-05-23 09:58:37

Be prepared

This review is from: Ethan Frome (DVD) This story is ageless. Many people think the "classics" are no longer viable for today's "modern" society. But people don't change as this story reveals...and we can all relate to the characters who live on these pages. A good read and well worth the short time it takes...wish it were longer!

sniegowski 2012-05-21 00:34:45

Extremely well acted but slow moving!

I felt that Ethan Frome was EXTREMELY well acted by all; however, thisbleak, depressing drama was very slow moving and lacked intensity which Ithink would have added to the romantic plot. More development between thecharacters in the love triangle would have been effective. Costumes,sceneryand characters were all very authentic. Just wish it could have been moreofan emotional picture.

2012-05-20 12:32:56

Beautifully-rendered story of a doomed romance

I read the book by Edith Wharton, Ethan Frome (Signet Classics) many years ago and did not realize that there was a film adaptation of the book until I came across the DVD at my local library. Seeing Liam Neeson on the cover prompted me to check it out as I admire his talent and I was not disappointed. Though the film adaptation is not a faithful retelling of Wharton's story, the main actors do an excellent job in their respective roles so as to make this a truly compelling and heartbreaking romantic drama.The film is basically a story within a story, which is also employed in the book. A young and idealistic new minister arrives in the rural town of Starkfield, Massachusetts sometime at the turn of the 20th century. He sees a crippled man hobbling along in the snow and wonders why this man seems so isolated and alone, bereft of friends. It is only later that his housekeeper tells him the tragic story of Ethan Frome. Viewers are then taken via flashback to the past, about 20 or so years earlier, when Ethan Frome (Liam Neeson) is portrayed as a strapping young man who is burying his mother. His distant cousin, Zeena (Joan Allen) has been staying with them, nursing his mother until her death, and faced with the prospect of losing someone who has helped him in his time of need, Ethan marries Zeena. Their marriage however is not a success - five years later, there are no children, and Zeena has become a hypocondriac, who seems to catch any ailment there is to be caught. She persuades Ethan to allow another cousin, Hattie Silver (Patricia Arquette), a poor orphan to come and live with them. The objective is to get Hattie to help out with chores for free (a common enough custom for the time when impoverished relatives would be taken in to effectively work as household help).Well, over a period of time, the initially sickly-looking Hattie blossoms into a vibrant beauty who enjoys dances and Ethan finds himself increasingly drawn to her vivacity, a stark contrast to his own sickly and taciturn wife. Zeena senses the growing affection between Ethan and Hattie and predictably disapproves and becomes even meaner and cruel. When Zeena decides to replace Hattie, the doomed lovers are driven to a desperate act that has catastrophic consequences for all.I felt Liam Neeson excelled in his role as the sad and isolated cripple, who seems to have sunk into submission in the present - in stark contrast to his younger days. Joan Allen plays the role of mean and calculating Zeena with credibility and conviction. As for Arquette, she is tolerable in her role, but not very compelling. Perhaps this is due to my own bias, having read the book and not 'seen' the Hattie I pictured in the book being credibly played by Arquette.The fictional town of Starkside is well depicted here with a high sense of realism - the harsh winter landscape paints a bleak picture that accentuates the flaws inherent in the characters. The score goes well with the story and I think this is a wonderful adaptation of Wharton's story, even though it does take liberties (there is no sex in the book, unlike the movie). Recommended for period and romantic drama fans.

2012-05-20 04:53:59

Ethan Frome

This review is from: Ethan Frome (DVD) Though there are differences between the book and film, this version is creative and engaging.

2012-05-19 18:56:40

Ethan Frome

This review is from: Ethan Frome (DVD) A great accompaniment for teaching the novel. Of course, there are a few differences, but the students will readily point those out. One big difference: in the novel Ethan never acts on his feelings.

2012-05-18 06:58:50

Beautiful, Breathtaking.....Wonderful!

This review is from: Ethan Frome (DVD) If you love a great period love story, then don't let any negative reviews stop you from seeing this terrific movie. The superb acting and beautiful scenery pull you right into the story, and the sexual tension between Laim Neeson and Patricia Arquette is incredibly palpable. It's the kind of movie that you can watch again and again and never get bored. One of my all-time favorites.

2012-05-17 16:00:25

Ethan Frome

This review is from: Ethan Frome (DVD) This is really a good movie, One man for two women he loved. Interesting how it started out,then went back in time ,then the future. I really liked the movie, well worth the money to buy it.

2012-05-15 04:57:27

Tension of opposites

This movie is all about the tension of opposites. What you know you should do vs what your heart wants to do. The setting, strong actors, and time period all work together to make a beautiful, but tragic love story come alive. I highly recommend this movie!

2012-05-14 14:19:04

Horrible Movie Compared To Book

The book Ethan Frome was incredibly good: the environment was created as a character, the people were characterized amazingly, and Edith Wharton (the author) forced sympathy toward Ethan and Mattie's "affair", which never extended beyond a kiss.The movie is horrible. Patricia Arquette appears to need speech therapy, and Liam Neeson's "limp" is more hilarious than telling. Their affair is much less believable, and by the end of the book, the only character that seems to be worthwhile is Zeena. Poor acting skills, poor script, and poor filming techniques all contribute to one horrible movie.It's too bad, really. They are quite good actors otherwise; this movie is just absolutely horrible.My favorite "love scene" between Ethan and Mattie:Mattie: (giving speech) I can't remember the rest.Ethan: You're cold.Mattie: Goodnight.Awww....Rent it for a laugh. Otherwise, avoid it like Bill and Hilary avoid each other in public.

2012-05-12 19:40:55

Review of Ethan Frame

Generally, the adaption from the book to screen was well done. I thought Zeena could have been played as more of an excentric character and more of a hypochondriac - which worked well in the novel. Ethan Frome was played well, and the cast worked well on screen. The chemistry between Ethan and Mattie was well picked up on,from the audience's perspective. Overall, this film was a good one. I probably wouldn't recommend you rent it for a Saturday night at home though - read the book, i found this more descriptive and visual.

2012-05-12 02:19:13

Ethan Frome - One of the Best!

This review is from: Ethan Frome (DVD) Some of your critics are very harsh to a lovely masterpiece. Yes, it is different, in ways, from the book, but that takes nothing away from the value of the movie. I love the book, a top three, for the way it tells a tragedy with such perfection in language, character, and place. The movie does likewise.Liam Neeson becomes Ethan! In subtle, tender ways, he makes this fascinating, yet simple character come to life. Mattie brings a joy to the bleak existence Ethan lives. One understands how her character can bring Ethan to life, when he faces such a dour wife and unforgiving landscape. One is glued to the screen as the story unfolds.The music, both yearning and laced with a sense of the tragic, is perfectly written for the film. Finally, the landscape reaches the same goal as it does in the book - it becomes another character in the tragedy. One shivers with the cold New England winter landscape and yet is in awe of the beauty of nature. I find it difficult to describe the elegance of this aspect of the movie. It contributes beautifully to the total package of this movie.The movie and the book tell a tragic tale. You finish both wondering and thinking about what you have seen and what you have read. One can't ask much more from a fictional experience.

2012-05-12 03:21:26

Scandalous!

This review is from: Ethan Frome [VHS] (VHS Tape) I was a bit disappointed in this movie, even though I love Liam Neeson. It wasn't the love story I was anticipating.

wgranger 2012-05-11 08:52:41

New England love triangle gone bad

I always thought that Edith Wharton was an interesting author and I hadbeen meaning to read the book since high school but never got around todoing so. When I saw the DVD, I couldn't resist. I thought the acting,scenery, costumes were all superb. I really felt as if I were in latterpart of 19th century New England. That said, though, I can't say thisis a very happy movie by any means. The only real warmth was the firefrom the new minister. In fact, if I had to describe this movie inthree words, it would be dreary, dreary, dreary. The interiors aredreary, the characters dreary, and the story dreary. But this is what Ithink the producer was trying to portray so he did an excellent job -just a little too dreary for me. On closer reflection, the authorshowed how we are often bound by fate and the choices we make. Ethanleft college to take care of his sickly mother, stayed when she diedand then married the cousin who took care of her. Now he is stuck in ajoyless situation.

2012-05-11 21:22:17

AWESOME CHEMISTRY!!!

If you LOVE Romantic movies with chemistry, especially between the actor and actress, you will LOVE this movie. The chemistry between Liam Neeson and Patricia Arquette is breath taking!!!I get butterflies in my stomach on a couple of scenes. I wouldn't change a thing in this movie it is absolutely superb!!!

2012-05-10 22:42:40

no title

Liam Neeson was wonderful to watch - a tragic love story with great winter scenery and lots of cold breath shots. However, Patricia Arquette was too teenage giggly - not a terrific actress in this film, at least. Still, a great role for Neeson.

2012-05-09 21:13:06

Randy Buck hasn't a clue

This movie is stunning--one of my all-time favorites. The direction here is as good as it gets, since some of the scenes--which are not much to tell to a block-headed high-school boy--come alive in astonishing ways. Patricia Arquette is amazing, so shy and appealing, hardly recognizable from her other roles. Her singing a little song over the stove is enchanting, and it is easy to see how she steals the heart of her listener. Many other scenes are equally memorable, and the acting is superb from all quarters. It really feels like returning to that tiny Massachusetts town long ago. If you categorically can't abide dark wintry tragedies, then flee this one also. But if you really want to feel how a tragedy unfolds, including the joy that underlies it, then this is your ticket. You won't find a better made film, or more artistically generated emotions.

2012-05-09 08:23:31

Are you a Born Romantic ?

If you love Romance, you simply must have this video! Yes, Ethan and Mattie are what we call "star crossed lovers" in a way, so all the more reason why their courtship escalates so far beyond the mundane.I promise you this: there are at least two love scenes in this film that are so amorous and seductive that you will most certainly rewind the tape just to reassure yourself that it was accomplished completely without nudity.Liam Neeson (Ethan) is at his expected best, portraying a character who is astonishingly sexy and lovable regardless of his physical deformity or intensely tragic circumstances. And Patricia Arquette (Mattie) exquisitely personifies a beautiful and kind young woman approaching her first peak of sexuality.All of the actors are wonderful and the film follows the book very closely. Buy the video, read the book, and then if you are a true Romantic you will watch the video again and again.Do read the previous reviews from other customers, I enjoyed reading all of them.

2012-05-09 06:22:01

excellent service

This review is from: Ethan Frome (DVD) Ethan Frome is a great classic. I owned the VHS version and was so happy to find the DVD. Thanks

2012-05-08 20:37:06

Great movie

This review is from: Ethan Frome (DVD) I never read the book, so I was very surprised by the ending. I loved the movie. I thought Liam Neeson did a great job as usual.