Length: 1h 55m
Released: 1992
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Amazon Prime
SUMMARY:
A nomadic farm worker looks after his mentally disabled, gentle-giant friend during the Great Depression.
REVIEW:
I haven't watched this movie since I was in High School and I read the book in High School and then again in 2013. We read it for my English/LIT class. Hubby and I were watching 'New Girl' and they made a reference to the show. At that point I learned that my Hubby's school never made them watch the movie or read the book. SOOOO I made him watch this with me.
We follow Lennie and George who are looking for work and saving money to open their own farm one day. They can't seem to hold a job long enough because Lennie always ends up in trouble and they have to move on. Lennie is mentally disabled and sweet. George cares for Lennie but it has been very hard. They land a job and it seems to be going swell minus the fact the owner's son is a jerk and his wife is....lonely.
This is a very sad story, but I find it a very important story for people to read/watch. There are so many things that are pointed out. I'm borrowing this quote from this article in Medium that really summarizes the original couple of paragraphs I had typed lol, "Through its exploration of themes such as companionship, the American Dream, and discrimination, Steinbeck delivers a powerful message about the importance of connection, the need for social justice, and the realities of life for marginalized people."
There are a bunch of other meanings behind this book that I'm sure you can find or think of. However, this story does make you feel, of course, but also think.
I remember after reading the book and watching the movie, we had to fill out a sheet. One of the questions was about Curly and his wife.....I remember writing that Curly and his wife can be seen as both victim and the bad guy. Goodness knows how Curly's dad's treats him behind closed doors so he then feels the need to abuse his wife and his workers. His wife, in turn, is abused but also takes advantage of the workers. Sure she is lonely and I feel for her, but she needs to leave the workers alone. She gets them in trouble and doesn't even defend them when they get caught with her.
You can see each character as victims in a way. They are all discriminated in some way shape or form. However, no one is fully innocent. There is a level of bias and discrimination that society forces the characters to "accept". The movie did an excellent job in portraying this. I really should re-read the book. It's been so long.
Ugh!!! The scene with the dog always makes me cry and mad. I understand the symbolism behind it and in a way....yes....you don't want the dog to suffer. Ugh tears me up.
The cast is WONDERFUL. They all do an excellent job with their characters. I must give an extra kuddos to the man who played Lennie. Not an easy role.
This movie follows the book really, really well. Sure a couple little changes like the very end. I believe Slim goes to George in the book, but in the movie they snipped that interaction out. I do wish they gave Curly's wife a name....but that, in itself, shows the discrimination she faces. She is nothing but property of Curly.
All-in-all, this is a must watch or at least a must read at least once in your life. If your school didn't make you read this, you really should take the time to check it out. I do still hold that I wished the author left some sort of hope. Even if it is fleeting or a tiny flicker. I know the movie was just following the book and I'm glad they stuck fully to the book which is why I'm going to give this 5 stars instead of the 4 I gave the book years ago. When making a movie it's easy to change plot points or add your own seasoning to it, but the movie people really stayed true to the book. So yes.....5 stars.
ONE WORD SUMMARY: Tragic
