I've been awaiting the release of this film for years now as I'm a huge fan of Oscar Wilde's play, of "Looking for Richard" and of Jessica Chastain. What did people who saw this film think of the two films?
shareReally enjoyed the film of the play. I had always in the past compared it unfavourably with the Richard Strauss opera (which I still love), but then I had never seen it properly done (many years ago I directed an amateur production and I am the first to admit it was not my creative high point!). This film brought out the glory of the text and the intensity of the characters and the situation. It was never over the top, and, in fact, was very understated in many places. My only quibble is that in making a film there was an opportunity to do the whole thing uncut (it's not that long). The most noticeable cut was in the great confrontation between Salome and Jokanaan, they cut out the "hair" speech (Salome fist comments on his body, then his hair and finally his mouth). But all in all I thoroughly recommend it. The documentary was interesting in places though a little self indulgent I thought.
shareNot much to be honest. Having seen Ken Russell's 1987 adaptation and loving that one probably didn't help me with style that Pacino used as opposed to Ken Russell.
I think it's a very divisive piece and I can certainly appreciate that some people will absolutely adore Pacino's interpretation. Whilst my feelings were rather negative I feel this film deserves a release to allow people to decide for themselves.
I like both Ken Russell's adaptation and this one, although Pacino, or someone on the editing team has been a little naughty: there is a frame, near the end of the Dance of the Seven Veils, in which Jessica Chastain's face is altered to look like a death's head.
http://s2.postimg.org/hx7sqj1t5/salome_14_00_53_18_114.jpg
it is released in theatre or DVD in UK
share[deleted]
I found it engrossing, even though Pacino's way of delivering his lines, at times, is off.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Morgana0x