What an interesting way to approach this subject matter. Quincy Jones, composer and producer on the film, insisted Spielberg direct this movie taking place during 1909-1947 in the South. He felt he'd be perfect for the job because of how he made audiences feel with his phenomenal film "E. T". I'm not sure he was the best choice since his connection to the subject matter is quite foreign, but my god can he get some great emotion out of his filmmaking. The ending was powerful and poignant as any good Spielberg film should be.
This is a treat to look at from a cinematography standpoint, with the framing reminding me of older classic Hollywood films. Spielberg is able to blend an old Hollywood style while infusing this picture with a much needed sense of authenticity with his set design and wonderful actors. I'd have to say that the biggest surprise performance for me was Whoopi Goldberg. She was able to bring an innocence to the part that I wasn't expecting. I think this is leagues ahead of her work in "Ghost" because she has more to do here.
The main reason I'm held back on giving this a higher score is merely the fact that I thought it was too long. The story is an epic in how many years it follows, but I felt like some parts definitely could have been cut out to make a smoother journey. For example, the scene in the bar with a scat singer is wonderful audibly, and it shows progression in Nettie's character, but I think it could have been cut. And this was not the only scene I felt that way. Because of the long length and methodically slow pacing, I would only recommend this to those who are fans of Spielberg and looking to see his versatility as a director. This is by far the best adaptation I've seen thus far so if you have read the book, this is probably a must watch.
This is a treat to look at from a cinematography standpoint, with the framing reminding me of older classic Hollywood films. Spielberg is able to blend an old Hollywood style while infusing this picture with a much needed sense of authenticity with his set design and wonderful actors. I'd have to say that the biggest surprise performance for me was Whoopi Goldberg. She was able to bring an innocence to the part that I wasn't expecting. I think this is leagues ahead of her work in "Ghost" because she has more to do here.
The main reason I'm held back on giving this a higher score is merely the fact that I thought it was too long. The story is an epic in how many years it follows, but I felt like some parts definitely could have been cut out to make a smoother journey. For example, the scene in the bar with a scat singer is wonderful audibly, and it shows progression in Nettie's character, but I think it could have been cut. And this was not the only scene I felt that way. Because of the long length and methodically slow pacing, I would only recommend this to those who are fans of Spielberg and looking to see his versatility as a director. This is by far the best adaptation I've seen thus far so if you have read the book, this is probably a must watch.