Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent adaptation of the Dreiser classic, January 25, 2005
First of all, be warned - this is a downer and not a film to be recommended to anyone who is suffering from depression or low self esteem.
Theodore Dreiser's novel, "Sister Carrie," first published in 1900, had its share of controversy and initial sales were poor. Today it is viewed as a major American classic. Dreiser's characters are victims of chance and circumstance and their motivations are fueled by their desires without serious thought to the consequences of their actions. Readers were especially shocked that the heroine's "sinful" ways would be rewarded in the end.
"Carrie" was filmed in 1950 but it sat on the shelf for two years before being released in 1952. The studio felt that the political climate at the time wasn't right for the film. In fact, this dvd version contains a scene that wasn't included in the American release but was in prints for the foreign markets. A note at the beginning of the film alludes to the politics of the time but really it just raises more questions than answers. This is a film begging for a commentary but unfortunately there isn't one.
With no extras provided, we only have the film to enjoy but what an excellent film this is. The technical aspects are top notch with William Wyler's skillful direction making this one of his best films, Victor Milner's sharp and unsentimental black and white photography and David Raskin's lovely score. But what really shines are the actors. Jennifer Jones, certainly one of the most beautiful actresses to ever work in Hollywood, is perfect as Carrie - naive and innocent in the beginning but learning the ways of the world too late, Eddie Albert as the charming but oily Drouet and Miriam Hopkins as the icy and shrewd Julia Hurstwood. The stand out performance, however, has to be Laurence Olivier, as George Hurstwood, the man whose obsession for Carrie eventually leads to his downfall. This is arguably his best screen performance but one that is often overlooked.
"Carrie" is a mature and sensitive film and one that makes a stark contrast to Hollywood's usual romantised fare. It is an unfogettable film but certainly not for everyone.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Superb performances; lacklustre DVD transfer, January 30, 2005
Movie: ***** DVD Quality: *** DVD Extras: N/A
A tour de force performance by Laurence Olivier distinguishes this screen adaptation of Theodore Dreiser's novel "Sister Carrie". Under William Wyler's sure-handed direction, Olivier portrays a middle aged man whose comfortable, but unhappy, life tragically unravels when he persues the love of a young woman in a desperate last attempt at personal happiness. Sabotaged by fate, circumstance, and his own compromised morality, Olivier's descent into poverty, isolation, and despair is harrowing to witness. As the object of his passion, Jennifer Jones is very good indeed in the title role. Certainly, she has never appeared more lovely than she does in this film; it is critical that the audience believe that Olivier's character would risk everything for her, and sure enough, one can easily understand why Olivier is captivated by her charm and grace. Equally effective in key supporting roles are Miriam Hopkins in the role of Olivier's controlling shrew of a wife and Eddie Albert as a smooth-talking salesman who also loves Jones in his own opportunistic way.
The Paramount DVD edition of this neglected jewel is a mixed bag quality-wise. On the one hand, it includes a long-censored and important sequence showing Olivier's character at his lowest, sick and disheveled and destitute, spending the night in a filthy flophouse. On the other hand, the transfer quality is uniformly substandard, featuring gainy video that is sometimes plagued by vertical lines running through the picture, and often muddy audio. Regrettably, the DVD does not include any extras whatsoever, not even a package insert with liner notes. Despite these annoying flaws and omissions, this DVD is still very much worth a look just to see one of the greatest actors of the 20th century in what arguably may be his finest screen performance.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting adaptation, July 15, 2003
I notice many of the other reviewers lamenting that this film adaptation of Dreiser's novel is not as good as the book itself. Of course it isn't, but that doesn't mean there isn't considerable merit in this film. Naturally there are considerable differences between the book and the movie, but that is inevitable in any screen translation. The performances are uniformly good. Jennifer Jones was hardly considered an outstanding actress, but she's well cast here in the role of a passive, timid and one-dimensional Carrie. The ambitious side of Carrie in the novel is muted a bit for the screen. Olivier is exceptional in the lead character and his disintegration from rich restaurant manager to skid row bum is masterful. Perhaps the most overlooked performance is that of Eddie Albert, cast as Carrie's first lover. Albert is exceptional and most resembles the original character in Dreiser's book. The ending will have you reaching for your handkerchief's, so be forewarned. For anyone who has not read Dreiser's novel, you will be prompted to lay hands on the book as soon as this film is concluded. Recommended viewing.
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