Film Review – The Wolfman

Unfortunately, a case of style over substance, without too much of the style.

Synopsis

Lawrence Talbot (played by Benicio Del Toro) having been estranged from his wealthy English home, returns on the behest of his brother’s grieving fiancé (Emily Blunt) to find that something evil is afoot. His brother has been mauled by wild beast, gypsies haunt the local area, and his reclusive father (Anthony Hopkins) seems completely unsurprised and emotionally aloof of the entire affair.

Whilst I am not a close follower of Anthony Hopkins’ career, I am an avid enough admirer of the grand old   man to know that he has made some very strange choices in roles before. Perhaps, those choices might be considered eccentric, I am surprised at this one. Great actors they might be, and the strength of their talent is evident even in this film, but even Hopkins, Del Toro, and the up and coming Miss Blunt, fail to inject this film with the spark of life it needed. Individually excellent, bringing presence and gravitas to their roles, I can only think that the directors were both over-flattered that these big names wanted to star in their movie, but also had more money than sense when casting them in the roles given. Hopkins plays a cantankerous old Irishman, somehow entrenched in Talbot Manor overlook the very English Blackmoor wilds. Benicio Del Toro plays his alienated son, who having emigrated to the Americas, has returned as an established Shakespearean actor (another stretch of the imagination) to perform on the London stage. Finally, the lovely Miss Blunt plays the grieving fiancé, for some unbeknownst reason, staying virtually unaccompanied at Talbot Manor after her beloved’s death. Joined also by Hugo Weaving playing the astute Inspector Abberline, they create a powerful cast for this film. Somehow, despite their screen presence and obvious talent, completely unsupported by a terrible script, there seemed to be no chemistry between these characters at all. As difficult as it already is to believe Del Toro as Hopkin’s son, casting one as an Irishman, the other as an American, stretch even the greatest imaginations beyond limit. How also we are to believe that in such a strained situation, with only the briefest of connection, a bond is formed between Blunt and Del Toro, is also a wonder.

I digress however. Unfortunately, the film’s shortcomings hardly start with the poor judgement in casting: for those that thought the story in Avatar was too simple, they will definitely struggle with the predictability and lack of depth in the Wolfman. If the special effects were something that the film makers were relying on, I have to report that, especially post Avatar, we have seen far better, and CGI used with far greater subtlety; and alas, having a brooding, dark atmosphere throughout the film, though done well, again shows poor vision in its monotonous lack of variety.

You will be unsurprised by my conclusion that this is not a film that you should spend any of your valuable time on; my only hope is that mine was spent so that it might save you yours.

CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

I am not sure that having so dismissed this film, I need add anything more. The debate as to whether mysticism in film encourages or discourages a belief in the supernatural and therefore God, is one to discuss at another time. This film, undoubtedly having such little impact on the long term memory of the viewer, I would recommend any other activity that might stimulate and challenge, rather than watch this film.