Customer Reviews

Mary Reilly

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Julia Roberts as Mary Reilly is wonderful in the film. She gave a sensitive dramatic performance in this artistic film which takes the classic tale of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde (played superbly by John Malkovich) in a different perspective - in the eyes of his faithful lady servant, Mary, played by Roberts. Also, in the film is a hilarious participation of Glenn Close. I recommend this movie for serious fans of Julia Roberts. Great Film!

The movie rolls in and out with fog for a reason. You may argue that you didn't like Julia Roberts so-so Irish accent or that the movie was too slow but if you can't see the method behind the madness of this film let me enlighten you. The whole movie drifts as a nightmare of fog. The slow part is due to this floating horrible sense of dread that drifts you through these mysterious places that would tend to seem normal but aren't for some unexplainable reason. It's clear that the bounds of reality and dream seem to mingle throughout this movie, and in most part is very disturbing because of this almost expressionist like effect. But this effect works together with the music to achieve this feeling of lurking fear. In one scene that really scared me, a normal act by the workers of an eel being skinned later turns into a horrible dream by Mary of the dead thing rising and staring at her. The film goes even further than the normal Jekyll and Hyde duality theme, showing that there is duality in almost everything. The day and the night, consciousness and dream, human and beast, love and lust, and for the most part starts to blend the ideas into the normal course of a servant's everyday life. Although Jekyll and Hyde are a good and evil influence on the film they are not shown as much because it's dreamscape is through that of Mary. So it shows him not as the tortured victim of a supernatural will battle that he saw himself as but as a mysterious, psychotic, nightmare being that fleshes itself out throughout the film as a real person. In fact the whole movie becomes more real as it progresses. The movie is a very good example of psychological, dream-like terror that is often disturbing and one of the better versions of the Jekyll and Hyde story, only bested by the silent John Barrymore version.

This film happens to be a peculiar favorite of mine primarily because the setting, music, and cinematography set the overall haunting atmosphere of the film. Everything about the atmosphere is overshadowing. The film seems to mold the setting as an additional character by accenting the actions of Jekyll, Hyde,and Mary. A particular scene that catches my attention everytime is when Mary plants the flowers in the backyard, and soon afterward the vibrant colors of the flowers do no help "enliven" the space. This is the main reason for why I enjoyed the film because it demonstrates how enviornment forshadows the dangerous activities of the Doctor. However, I do acknowledge there are aspects of the film that are not as strong.There are parts of the film that both distracte, and fascinate me.

The only weak point for me in watching the film is the lack of control in the Irish "accent" from Julia Roberts that filters in and out frequently throughout the film. The acting from the cast is good. John Malkovich's performance was great and as always with a suave seduction that isn't unfamiliar from his previous works. I was surprised however by Julia Robert's portrayal of Mary Reilly. I have never seen Roberts play a character that wasn't "glamorous" to some degree. Mary Reilly is a strong character that has survived abuse, and lived out a good life. I feel that Roberts did convey the sadness and curiosity of the character Mary.

Overall, this film is an enjoyable film, but not a masterpiece or classic. It is a film that is filled with dark corridors, shadows, and fog, all of which add to the story and plight of the principal characters.

In the great tradition of Gothic horror films, Mary Reilly updates the classic Robert Louis Stevenson novella, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The screenplay by Christopher Hampton, from the novel by Valerie Martin, changes the focus from the bizarre transformation of Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde, his evil alterego, and creates instead a tension-filled relationship between the dark and "misunderstood" Dr. Jekyll and his young and proper housemaid, Mary Reilly. Despite (or perhaps because of) the abuse she has suffered at the hands of her father, Mary does not run from Dr. Jekyll, though she always seems fearful. He confides in her about his research and gives her a sense of value which she does not receive from any other source.

Julia Roberts as the very repressed Mary, plays most of the film through her expressive eyes, which reveal her fear and her moods. Little dialogue is necessary, as John Malkevich, as both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, sneers, threatens, and dissembles, while also conveying a vulnerability to which Mary Reilly responds. The cast of other house servants is outstanding, but Glenn Close as the off-the-wall madam Mrs. Farraday, steals the show, playing the role in her nastiest Cruella DeVille mode. The Victorian setting is beautifully conveyed, from the claustrophic interiors of the bawdy house to the stark black and white interior of Jekyll's laboratory, and the costuming reflects the same color palette.

The cinematography takes advantage of architectural components, filming from above catwalks in Dr. Hyde's laboratory, through windows, around doorways and halls, and from under tables. Additional scenes of dark, foggy weather are used to great advantage as a contrast to the brightness and butchery in the markets, hospital autopsy rooms, and Mrs. Farraday's accommodations.

The psychological portrait of Dr. Jekyll and his "evil twin," Mr. Hyde have been discussed for over a hundred years, and this film does not add anything new to that portrait. The inclusion of Mary Reilly, however, is a new twist, one which might have been more believable if her own psychological motivation for remaining in Dr. Jekyll's household had been more fully developed. The special effects as Dr. Jekyll wrestles with his inner demon are compelling and unique, but the ending just peters out, offering no emotional resolution or intellectual conclusion regarding Mary Reilly. Great fun for fans of Gothic horror. Mary Whipple

This film was apparently in theaters for so short a time, I'd never heard of it until I saw it on video. Too bad. Then, when I read reviews of it, Julia Roberts seemed to get universally blasted for her portrayal of the title character. After watching it, I can't imagine why, except that they believe her fans only want to see her in a romantic comedy - this film was apparently promoted as a Roberts vehicle, which it isn't. It is, however, a perfect example of a Malkovich vehicle. He is perfectly cast as the good/evil Jekyll/Hyde in this rendition of the story with its inherently sexual overtones. No matter what you read elsewhere by professional critics, both performances were excellent, and Malkovich and Roberts were wonderful together. In fact, the sexual intensity is so hot, in spite of (or maybe because of) the film's slow pace, I nearly needed a cold shower by the end. As for the complaints about Roberts' accent, I found it amusing that she should be blamed for attempting one, while Malkovich seems to always be criticized for never doing so.

The film as a whole was less than perfect (hence only four stars), but this does not distract from the experience. Specific problems are addressed in a review below this one, however, what I believe caused so much negative publicity was the film's being mercilessly compared to Dangerous Liaisons (same writer, director, also Malkovich and Close). In my opinion, that is like comparing your second, but above average child unfavorably to his genius older sibling - It doesn't imply that Mary Reilly is not worth watching. See it - don't let critics make your decisions for you.

This movie is so, so creepy and gothic and weird, without being too bloody or too gratuitous. It's silently creepy and disturbing, that's its power.

I didn't buy the Jekyll and Hyde being two different guys because anybody with half a mind can see its Malkovich in both roles, so I find it hard to believe that Mary Reilly and others wouldn't recognize that, they should have disguised him better, not just different hair color.

Other than that, everything in the film works great. Malkovich is superb as always in his subdued sophisticated decadent villain acting mode, and Julia Roberts really shows her range as an actress, playing this timid mousy little maid with a sad past.

Julia Roberts and John Malkovich were great together. It kept me on the toes through out the whole movie.

I have to disagree with the critique of Ms. Robert's acting. It's been criticized before as "blah," wooden or uninspired. Perhaps because next to John Malcovich's gloriously over-the-top scene chewing Mr. Hyde she seems a little pale. Or maybe it's because Mary Reilly is such a break in roles for her. She isn't perky and cute like in "Pretty Woman" or assertively sexual as in "Erin Brokovich." But, then she's playing a Victorian housemaid. A big-eyed, sad little drudge with an abused past, desperately and unwillingly in love with a man above her station. When she is around her employer Dr. Jekyll, she is utterly controlled by social convention. When she is near his alterego Mr. Hyde, she's petrified with fear. And for good reason. I would call her acting understated and subtly nuanced. Ms. Roberts communicates a lot with a glance, a silence or just a stirring of hands. She's the counterpoint to the uninhibited Mr. Hyde. And she keeps the film from descending into farce, which it very well could have.

The dvd did not work. We tried it in three different dvd players and got a broken up, shattered picture...if any at all. VERY disappointed.

One of my top 5 all time favorite movies.... I haven't been able to get away from it... An excellent way of portraying the Jekyll and Hyde persona... They could not have found better candidates for the characters if they tried, John Malkovich and Julia Roberts are perfect for these rolls I couldn't see anyone else in their respective parts... The suspense was wonderful yet slightly frustrating through the entire movie I just kept wanting to see more of the romantic aspect between Jekyll and Reilly, although it would have ruined the romantic tension and thus a very large part of the movie...

The only real problem I have had with this movie is the fact that there are parts in the preview (which I saw many years ago, as well as many times since) which are not in the actual movie in which I would have loved to see in the dvd release of this movie... I doubt I am the only one who feels this way... Someone should really think about making another release of this film including the deleted scenes I have no doubt it would make some money!!!