MovieChat Forums > Of Mice and Men (1940) Discussion > Sorry, but I thought the film was pretty...

Sorry, but I thought the film was pretty bad

posted 16 years ago by bbmtwy
27 replies | jump to latest

I saw it for the first time last night on TCM. The story is strong, but depressing. We should execute our misfits? Adolf Hitler must have loved this yarn. The screenplay, direction, blocking, camerawork would have been rejected in the 1920s, so old-fashioned, so corny. This type of wooden acting might have been effective in the stage version, but it was embarrassing here. Lewis Milestone is said to have thrown the thing together in a race against John Ford's production of the other Steinbeck novel, The Grapes of Wrath. No one has to be told which film became a classic, which film we remember today.

[–] lhayes37 16 years ago

Hey mr. critic I have some news for you. Both films are considered classics. The acting performance by Cheney Jr. is very strong. Why do you feel forced to compare the two films?

"The screenplay, direction, blocking, camerawork would have been rejected in the 1920s, so old-fashioned, so corny. This type of wooden acting might have been effective in the stage version, but it was embarrassing here."

This is just plain drivel. btw the movie cam out in 1939.

[–] OfCopsandMonsters 15 years ago

That's simplistic hokum on your part, bbmtwy. I can only infer that you didn't read the book, or were dimmer than Lenny Small to understand why George's hand was forced, literally and figuratively, at story's end. That's what makes it such a tragedy. Lenny was playing against a stacked deck from the moment he was kicked in the head as a kid. When I read the story for the first time, the reasons for George's actions were readily apparent to me, despite my being only nine years old. You should be so fortunate to create anything with one percent of the emotional resonance of either the book or the movie, a film which - given the year of its production - is remarkably faithful to its source.

[–] hawkblue_inaz 15 years ago

I can't agree with you more Cops. I've read the book close to 10 times, and I finally found a copy of the movie so i could watch it. It's amazing how close to the book it is. Quite frankly, even though we had the book to help guide us, i have faith that i would have understood by George did what he did. The book does make it a lot easier, but it's not like we're watching 2001: A Space Odessy, it should be pretty cut a dry...
And what was with the Hitler comment? Yes, since George basically saved Lenny from a much worse fate...the most evil man man ever to grace the Earth must have been a huge fan? huh...

Either way, great movie, great book.

***Hell,I'd kill for a big fat blind gay guy if we could just get some work done around here***

[–] Birdieluver_gloria 15 years ago

You have completely misunderstood the ending. George did not kill Lennie because he was a misfit, because he was too much trouble to take care of. He had to kill Lennie at the end because it was the very best thing he could do. If they get captured by Curly, Lennie would have gotten lynched, meaning he would have died a much more painful death. If they got caught by the police, Lennie would have either gotten hanged or locked up in an insane asylum (which, if you aren't aware, in those days means he'll be kept chained down in a cage like some animal). Either way, Lennie would have suffered much more and George knew that and that was why he realized that he must pull that trigger. He protected Lennie to the very end.

[–] endiadj 14 years ago

George putting Lenny down in a "humane" way was equated to Carlson putting Candy's dog down in a "humane" instead of letting him continue to suffer. Candy telling George that he should've been the one to kill his dog instead of letting a stranger do it was also an important correlation. George wanted to be the one to put Lenny down instead of having some stranger do it.

[–] darryl-tahirali 10 years ago

George putting Lenny down in a "humane" way was equated to Carlson putting Candy's dog down in a "humane" instead of letting him continue to suffer. Candy telling George that he should've been the one to kill his dog instead of letting a stranger do it was also an important correlation. George wanted to be the one to put Lenny down instead of having some stranger do it. - endiadj

Exactly. Considering how supposedly attuned modern audiences are to tropes, symbolism, parallels, etc., the moment of Carlson shooting Candy's dog for Candy should have jumped out at a modern audience.

That final scene with Burgess Meredith and Lon Chaney, Jr., is still very powerful. I love the way Aaron Copland's music builds to the climax. We'd call it "heavy-handed" today, but it is still effective.

Then comes the moment in which the posse and the sheriff arrive, and the moment with Slim, George, and the sheriff. Then the final stationary shot of the tree, with the black squirrel darting up and down. Very moving finale.

------------------
"Colorless green ideas sleep furiously." - Noam Chomsky

[–] namaGemo 11 years ago

Exactly. The op doesn't have a clue wtf he's talking about. This was an amazing film and Chaney was just incredible, especially during the climax of the film.

[–] kingarthurup 15 years ago

LOL... don't you people get it? bbmtwy is kidding to see what you all will say.

There is no way that someone could be as much an idiot at bbmtwy pretends...LOL

Keep it up bbmtwy... keeps people honest.

[–] jadflack 15 years ago

if you think this film is pretty bad, i'd love to know what your idea of a excellent film is because it must be a masterpiece! the 1939 film version of " Of Mice And Men" is a moving, excellent film still.

are my farts responsible for global warming?

[–] meslon 14 years ago

in my opinion this is one of the greatest movies ever made=1939 was a banner year for films and this was the film that was more than just a tad overlooked
stay away from the remakes and watch reality-you won't be sorry(touched yes)

There is another reality...NEVERWHERE

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ripperanewa 14 years ago

bbmtwy Your BANG ON, This was without a doubt one of the worst movies I've seen from the so call silver screen age. The acting was a JOKE!! and the only thing I took from this film was if your an old dog shoot it and if your mentally challenged shoot it too! this movie should not be consider a classic with the like's of Twelve Angry Men or The Grapes of Wrath, It was a debacle IMO.

[–] kingarthurup 14 years ago

Voted for Obama didn't you?

[–] Great_Ape 14 years ago

Great film, great adaptation, great acting. Lon Chaney Jr. defines the role of Lennie Small.

[–] nammage 11 years ago

I voted for Obama both times. I love the book, seen 2 versions of the film. What does voting for Obama equate to?

The OP brings up Hitler that makes him an idiot because it has nothing to do with anything concerning this film. You bringing up Obama also has nothing to do with this film which makes you equally idiotic.

-Nam

I'm on the road less traveled...

[–] Wuchakk 9 years ago

You bringing up Obama also has nothing to do with this film which makes you equally idiotic.

He or she was saying that only stupid people would heavily denounce this movie, like the OP. And since only stupid people who refuse to view the facts would vote for Nobama twice then the OP probably did this. It seems clear to me.

My 150 (or so) favorite movies:
http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070122364/

[–] tseybert 11 years ago

The Obama Derangement Syndrome is strong in this one.

Janet! Donkeys!

[–] g_dekok 12 years ago

This film was NOT "thrown together". It's obvious that you unfortunately don't think that this is an American CLASSIC. Of Mice and Men is one of the best books, and this is the BEST film version of it.

George had no choice but to shoot Lennie, as the mob would have torn him apart. Go back and READ THE BOOK to really understand it.