Rating: 
Summary: Great film
Review: Review of Of Mice and Men
The Film Of Mice and Men is based on a novel by John Steinbeck. It is a very compelling story about two entirely different men who depend on each other in many ways. The two main characters in the novel are played by Gary Sinise as George, and John Malkovich as Lennie. Sinise who is also the director of the film, does a wonderful job following the novel and showing us a clear illustration of the story. George and Lennie are two farm workers who travel around looking for work. Lennie Small who is a very large man, suffers from a mental disorder, and depends on a much smaller man in George to take care of him. This story truly shows how two men can be the best of friends and worst of enemies at the same time. George sacrifices so much for Lennie, he not only takes care of himself and his own problems, but also those of Lennie. After reading the novel and watching the movie, I would highly recommend this novel and film to anyone who enjoys great stories about friendship and sacrifice.
Rating: 
Summary: Of Mice And Men
Review: This great John Steinbeck novel was recreated for the big screen wonderfully by director Gary Sinise. Sinise stars in the movie as well, portraying the character George. George is the smaller caretaker of Lenny who is depicted by John Malkovich. Malkovich does a magnificent job in illustrating Lenny, who is large and strong, but mentally-challenged. The two travel together, finding jobs at ranches across California. A rancher is a lonesome job, but the two have hope in buying their own place one day. This hope is what keeps the two persevering. The movie recreates the events in the book exactly. From the scenery of the desolate southern California plains, to the bunk houses of the ranch, Sinise portrays them just as you pictured them when reading the book. Even the expressions of the characters are perfectly done by every actor in the movie. If there ever was a perfect portrayal of a novel, Gary Sinise's Of Mice and Men is it.
Rating:
Summary: Of Mice and Men
Review: Today's films which are mass produced by Hollywood high rollers are filled with high-action expensive stunts that simply aim to bring in a profit. And though there are some touching stories still filtering through the nation's theatres, Of Mice and Men, is a highly entertaining film that challenges ones ideas about friendship and loyalty. It is noticeably made on a low budget, and amazingly it will keep your eyes locked on the screen. I can honestly say that it is the only movie made from a high-school text that was effortless to stay awake during. The controversial ending coupled with the brilliant acting of Gary Sinise, John Malkovich, and Ray Walston, will make this movie endurable for many years to come. After reading the novel, it is clear that Malkovich does the finest job of accurately capturing his character, Linny. He does an unbelievable job of portraying himself as a giant-sized man, with a child-sized brain. If you are considering watching the movie, you should read the book beforehand and then view the film and see how closely related the two are. As for the ending, prepare yourself for an emotional scene that will leave you questioning your own ideas on friendship.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie.
Review: Gary Sinise has done it again. One of the best movies in the world. Best friends Lennie (Malkovich) and George (Sinise) are looking for work. They go to a ranch to work so they can go to their dream which is have 10 acres and have rabbits and stuff like that. Lennie really wants to tend the rabbits. He loves soft and furry things. Lennie gets George in trouble all the time. They go to work and everything works out find until the mentally retarted Lennie kills a girl, by breaking her neck. Now he has gone to far. You can't kill a girl and get away with it. So it forces George to make a decision of his own. Based on the book "Of Mice and Men" by John Stienback. Rated: PG-13 For Language and Violence Running Time: 110 Minutes
Rating:
Summary: It doesn't get more perfect than this...
Review: As an enthusiastic fan of John Steinbeck, I cannot think of a more perfect package than a Steinbeck novel adapted to film and starring John Malkovich and Gary Sinise, with the added bonus of Gary Sinise directing. This has to be one of Steinbecks most loved tales and the casting of Gary Sinise (George) and John Malkovich (Lennie) is pure genius. No one could possibly have captured the gentle giant, Lennie, any better than John Malkovich. Furthermore, if you love the book, it loses nothing in translation to film. A moving tale of two men travelling for work, Lennie continually gets into trouble purely because of his childlike innocence which is misunderstood by other adults who only see a big man who should know better. George does his best to protect Lennie but unfortunately, all of George's efforts to keep Lennie out of trouble by promising his dream of tending rabbits is just one more job away if he behaves himself come to the tragic finale that makes this such an enchanting tale. Sinise & Malkovich are so convincing as these wonderful characters, it could not fail to touch even the hardest heart. I love John Malkovich - but this, to me, is his best performance ever. Steinbeck movies attract the greats, John Garfield and Spencer Tracy in Tortilla Flat for example, but of all the adaptations I've seen, this is by far the best.
Rating:
Summary: MASTERFUL ADAPTATION OF CLASSIC STEINBECK NOVEL
Review: What a masterful and faithful portrayal of Steinbeck's classic (eponymous) novel. The screenplay brings to life the tragic yet uplifting story of loyalty and the kind of bond that can grow between men that we are often reluctant to acknowledge, much less show. Aside from the story, the cast is what really makes this film. I have always held a soft spot for Gary Sinise after his role in Forrest Gump, wherein his character portrayed another facet of the bonding between men made brothers by cruel circumstance, yet can grow and flourish as the years and other circumstances come to pass. Here, as Lenny's friend and protector against a world that baffles and confuses him, he shows the kind of rough-edged tenderness and affection that both endears us to his plight, and fills us with the dread of what we know must come between the men. John Malkovich shows his range as an actor by bringing to life the dull-witted but pure-hearted Lenny, in a way that will tug at your heartstrings. I found myself both laughing (in a sad way) at Lenny's ineptness in dealing with a world clearly more confusing than his limited wits can manage, and crying over his being targeted for taunting and abuse by cruel and crude men, and ultimately done in by his brute strength when it was lacking the direction and temper given by his friend George. A pleasant surprise was Ray Walston as the aged but gentle and good-hearted ranch hand Candy, who has no one in life to love but his old sheepdog, who, like him, he knows, must ultimately be "put down" because of age and the wear and tear that a life of hard labor has worn down. The scene of his finally surrendering his faithful canine companion to be euthanized by a gunshot to the back of the head by another well-meaning field hand is very heartbreaking. Having grown up with the "Uncle Martin" of "My Favorite Martian" Walston, seeing his adept performance in a dramatic role gave me a new appreciation for his versatility as a character actor. Those who watch this film should allow plenty of time alone to view it straight through with no interruptions. Swallow your pride and keep a box of tissues handy, and some time afterwards for quiet contemplation and "recovery."
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite movies!
Review: Of Mice and Men is mainly about friendship. George is always there for Lenny and Lenny is always there for George. Sadly, this movie's also about shattered dreams. But hey that's reality. I don't understand why anyone would hate this movie. The acting is flawless...it's not overdone or underdone! The directing was awesome, they got the full meaning of the book out...the music even fit perfectly!! You'll fall in love with George and Lenny. I've seen this movie a few times now..and I've cried everytime. It's the only depressing movie I love (and probably the only one I'll love). This movie also made me love Gary Sinise!! He's such a wonderul actor...and director..and producer...but of course John Malckovich did a great job as well ^_^ It's very sad how this didn't win any oscars...but then again, Lord Of the Rings didn't get best picture...so maybe I don't like the Academy Awards! :P This movie...left me speechless afterwards. Of Mice and Men is for anyone with a heart! I simply love everything about it and can't find anything bad to say. (Which is rare for me ^_^)So...if you haven't seen it, SEE IT NOW!!!!
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Work
Review: I just happened to catch this film on television and was of the mistaken impression that it would be just another version of the same old Steinbeck story, but Malkovich is utterly convincing as Lenny and Gary Sinise is powerfully compelling as George. A wonderful supporting cast and beautiful cinematography. I was even more amazed to discover that this film was directed by Sinise, whose talents are certainly underrated. This version is probably even better than Steinbeck's novel, although it may seem sacreligious to say it. Not to be missed under any circumstances.
Rating:
Summary: Fine adaptation of what is most likely Steinbeck's best book
Review: "Of Mice and Men" is an adaptation of the famous John Steinbeck book. The director of the film, Gary Sinise, also stars as George. His performance is commanding and really makes the audience empathize with his feeling that Lennie, played by John Malkovich, is kind of ruining his life. George often wondered what it would have been like if he didn't have to take care of Lennie, but he never let Lennie know that.
The film follows the story of two men just trying to get by. Set during the Depression in the hometown of writer Steinbeck's hometown of Salinas, California, it adds a little bit extra to the film, instead of just shooting it all in the Midwest or on soundstages. There are farmlands out in California, its not just Los Angeles, but many people don't think so. The film is essentially an ensemble piece but the ensemble is much smaller in comparison to that of a film like "Traffic", in which there are 147 speaking parts.
Given the sensitivity of the material, John Malkovich's performance as Lennie, the gentle but intimidating giant companion to George, is the best in the film. If this film were a ship, Malkovich is the captain and Sinise is first mate. Malkovich's portrayal of Lennie shines stays good throughout the duration of the film, but in the scenes where he asks George to tell him about the little place of their own, he seems so childlike its like you're watching a five-year-old on screen. He holds your eyes to the screen.
The best scenes in the movie are when Lennie and George are talking alone and unfortunately, there are hardly enough of them. When you see the chemistry these two actors have together, its incredible.
The slight downfall to this movie is the completely annoying and overbearing performance by Casey Siemaszko as Curley. I really wanted to slap him through every scene where he was shown. This movie could've easily gotten four or five stars but he had to ruin it. Sherilyn Fenn more than made up for his faults to deliver a good, strong performance. She was said to have a "wandering eye" in the book and she pulled it off perfectly in the film. She was very flirtatious in her mannerisms and in the way she spoke to George.
Since it was set in the farmlands, the rustic look of everything was very fitting. The music worked well for the film, even though composer Mark Isham missed out on two wasted musical sequences, one being the fight between Curley and Lennie, the other being the end of the film where George shoots Lennie in the back of the head. Usually these types of scenes call for some seriously sad music, but he used his skill sparingly.
All in all, the film was very faithful to the book. The performances were good, despite one way-too-over-the-top one, and everything worked really well to bring the book to life.
Rating:
Summary: A great movie.
Review: This movie was extremely well-done. It actually is better than the book! A great movie to see. I have one big complaint about this movie, however, and that was the climax. I will not give it away, but the problem was that it seemed very rushed. In the book, the climax was a long scene, and you knew what George was going to do before it happened. In the movie, the view is from far away, and you have no idea what's going to happen, until it actually does, leaving you completely surprised. I would have rather had more suspense like it was in the book during that climax. Not just a surprise. Besides that, though, the movie was great.
|
