NETFLIX is releasing the latest adaptation of the Dame Daphne du Maurier novel, REBECCA to subscribers on October 21st. The film has an instant hook in the mouth cast, and the promise of a steamy thriller. But how does it stand up to the Oscar winning film of the 1940’s? It stumbles a little, ok a lot, as it tries to carry out the psychological intrigue. A good looking film in how it is shot and dressed, but it is very superficial with not as much depth as desired. (continued below)
Logline: A young newlywed arrives at her husband’s imposing family estate on a windswept English coast and finds herself battling the shadow of his first wife Rebecca, whose legacy lives on in the house long after her death.
(continued) The 2-hour film starts strong as we watch a young lady in waiting (Lily James) being subjugated and talked down to by her boss Mrs. Van Hopper (Ann Dowd). When the young lass catches the eye of a handsome aristocratic, the recent widower, Maxim de Winter (Armie Hammer), he whisks her away on a whirlwind marriage then off to his lavish mansion in south-western England. The newly wedded Mrs. de Winter is met with a very cold reception at the home especially from the creepy Mrs. Danvers (Kristin Scott Thomas). There is no doubt that the spirit of Maxim’s ex-wife, Rebecca is being kept alive in the ivy walls.
The story is solid – obviously – as it has been adapted into several feature films and a Masterpiece Theater mini series. The concept of this young woman transported from rags to riches and living in this grand mansion with servants galore is a wonderful foundation. Add to that the fact that no-one seems to want to let go of Rebecca. They constantly talk about how beautiful, smart, outgoing, and sociable Rebecca was. If you want to know how insignificant the new Mrs. de Winter’s is just realize that in the movie she doesn’t even get a first name. It is a clever way to add to the tension. She is never referred to by anything but “the girl” at the beginning and only as Mrs. de Winter the rest of the movie.
Hammer, James, and Thomas are all three convincing in their roles. I love Lily James and she is always endearing. She pulls off the mousy, young bride nicely. Hammer has no problem being dashing and sophisticated but when it comes to moody anger his inner charm seems to battle against it. Thomas is the best as the oppressive and dark Danvers. She is manipulative and obviously does not want to give up the memory of Rebecca.
Where the movie stumbles is in how none of the themes every come truly to the surface. The spirit of Rebecca is never allowed out. This is not a ghost story, but we also needed to really see how “alive” she was being kept in the house. A few monogrammed items being left subtly laying around is a lazy way to create tension. Even the grand ball, which is a climactic part of the story, falls flat. By the time we get to the final act we are so lulled into boredom that it only barely grabs our attention. That is a shame too because the last 30-minutes are full of excitement and a race for “justice”. I just lost interest in the characters by then and wanted it to be over.
Rebecca is a multi-layered character and the movie should have lived up to that. Seldom do we have a main character in a film only show up in dialogue and references. Rebecca is dead and gone before the move ever starts. Yet she is the heart of the story. You envy her but not sure why. You sort of hate how she dominates the home even if that is not her fault. She is alive and possesses the other character more than any ghost story. Yet the movie as a whole can’t compete with her. It is just blah.
REBECCA is Rated PG-13 for some sexual content, partial nudity, thematic elements and smoking. It is for mature audiences but the content is very tame for the rating. Fans of classic thrillers will be a tad disappointed in this remake. It had all the elements it needed to be fantastic but it just never found its footing. The good news? You already pay for Netflix so you are only out a few hours of your life. If this had a box office ticket price attached to it you would feel even more robbed.
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