The problem with adaptions (Captain Corelli's Mandolin (DVD))

Member Name: lollylou

Product:	Captain Corelli's Mandolin (DVD)
Date:	10/08/01 (51 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful shots, strong performances from Cruz and Hurt

Disadvantages: Not enough characterisation, Plot underdeveloped

There is always an air of anticipation, and excitement, when a famous, and popular book is converted to the big screen. For those who love the story, they hope the film will heighten the sense of enjoyment that they got from the book, allowing them to view it from a different angle. A good book to film adaption, can make the whole experience more complete and fulfilling.

Like many who read the book, I thouroughly enjoyed it and couldn't wait to recreate the event in the cinema. Unfortunately, I was left, grinding my teeth and looking at my watch.

I can not say that this is a bad film. Because it simply isn't. The cast is generaly strong, the plot,well the bit used in the film, is satisfying, and the direction and cinematography is polished and fitting. My problem with the film is that it made two huge mistakes.

The team must have known that all those that bought, borrowed, or read the whole book in the bookstore would flock to see the film. Yet they dared to bypass, two of the best elements of the story. Firstly, what I found most attractive in the book, was the humour used when creating the world of the small, close community. The characters, are if anything, loveable and eccentric. I thought the whole point of the drama, was that , for the first part, you are allowed to warm to the characters and appreciate the community, so that when they are invaded, the sense of distress and disharmny is heightened, as you read how these people that you have learned to love and respect are threatened by the Italians. But then you warm to the Italians,and you find that your sympathy is being tested and stretched. You realise that everything is not as clearcut, there aren't clear goodies and baddies

The film does not allow this to happen, it just did not grasp the humour, therefore, I did not warm to the people on the island, meaning that you can not care what happens to them when they are invaded. Now considering the
invasion is a major element of the film, if you don't care about, what's the point?

This also meant, that because I found myself, considerably distanced from the characters, I also couldn't feel for any relationships that blossomed, mainly the Captain and Pelagia. This was partly due to the point I mad above, but also because, we never really get a sense of the love Pelagia felt for Mandras before he left to fight. This destroys the whole idea that Pelagia has to deal with a whole range of inner turmoils, trying to fend off the incredibly strong feelings that she feels for the captain. With out Mandras' early development, you cann't understand why she has such a huge problem with the captain.

Not caring about the two central elements of the plot, simply because I felt I wasn't allowed to, results in an empty, numb feeling while watching the screen. The only time I fely anything for the islanders, was during an amazing bombing scene, where we watch the beautiful village being destroyed. You felt that you were being placed right in the centre of the war zone, and I could really imagine what these people were experiencing, more so than in the book. But this can not hold the film together, it would have been much nicer to see the film rely on the subtle characteristics of the people to evoke feeling rather than depend on a big budget stunt extravaganza to do the trick. The trick lasted a minute, unfortunately the film did not.

Of course, with an adaption, the team has to be choosy, with what they include. In this case I feel that they decided to ommit the wrong things, just because, the whole essence of the story depended on them. If I hadn't read the book, I am sure I would have been quite satisfied. But with the extra knowledge, I can not help but feel cheated.

I would say that If you've read the book, only go if you can pretend that the film has nothing to do with the novel, otherwise, go
and see it, because it definately isn't the worst film out there, and there are some fine performances (namly Cruz and Hurt) .

A word to the team, they should have just identified the film as being influenced by the novel rather than pass it off as an authentic adaption.

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