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The Scarlet Letter (1995)
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Reviews Counted:32
Fresh:5
Rotten:27
Average Rating:3/10
Runtime: 2 hrs 15 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Roland Joffé's adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne's seminal novel tells the story of an intolerant Puritan community in the early days of American settlement. In the 1660s, Hester Prynne (Demi... Roland Joffé's adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne's seminal novel tells the story of an intolerant Puritan community in the early days of American settlement. In the 1660s, Hester Prynne (Demi Moore) makes the voyage to the New World in order to find religious freedom and a new home for her and her husband, Roger (Robert Duvall). However, Hester proves to be too free-spirited and strong-willed for most of the conservative Massachusetts Bay colony members. She abandons the laws of the colony and sets up a home far from the town square, living by her own rules and setting the townspeople's morals on end. While waiting for her husband's arrival from England, she befriends the town pastor, Arthur Dimmesdale (Gary Oldman), a liberal-minded and passionate man who instantly strikes Hester's fancy. Although the married woman and pious pastor are strongly attracted to one another, the two refuse to give in to temptation--until Roger is reported dead in a violent Indian massacre. When the townfolk hear about the ensuing scandal, they force Hester to wear a shameful scarlet "A" (for adultery) on her clothing at all times--while living as a moral and social outcast. [More]
Starring: Demi Moore, Gary Oldman, Robert Duvall, Lisa Jolliff-Andoh
Starring: Demi Moore, Gary Oldman, Robert Duvall, Lisa Jolliff-Andoh, Edward Hardwicke, Robert Prosky, Roy Dotrice, Joan Plowright
Director: Roland Joffé
Director: Roland Joffé
Composer: John Barry
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Release:
Jun 4, 2002
Reviews for The Scarlet Letter
[It's] a mess that serves no one, least of all students hoping to get out of having to read the book for class.
This catastrophic conglomeration of Puritanical repression and modern sensibilities squanders terrific acting talent and sumptuous production values, not to mention a darn good story.
A sweepingly romantic and formulaically fulfilling tale set in the oppressively patriarchal and staunchly religious mid-17th century.
Despite the cast taking themselves very seriously indeed, The Scarlet Letter is a great comic turn, complete with cod-accents and other period jiggery-pokery.
“Freely adapted from the novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne,” the credits say cautiously. I'll say.
The movie has removed the character's sense of guilt, and therefore the story's drama.
Pitiful loose interpretation of the Nathaniel Hawthorne novel of adultery and its implications.
The result is merely a big-budget, opulently costumed soap opera that is way too long (two hours, 15 minutes) and way too slow.
A hysterically incompetent camp classic, highly recommended for English department faculty parties.
Though it's unclear what the audience would be for a faithful rendition of the Hawthorne novel, the question of who would ever want to see this one is murkier still.
If you've read the book you won't know the ending. Let's just say that Indians with flaming arrows come to the rescue. They manage to keep a straight face, which is more than anyone in the audience will be able to do.
For anyone who's ever wondered why Hawthorne left out the mute servants, red cockatoos, and rolls in the proverbial hay. As Hawthorne himself would say: "Ignominious!"
Oh, Roland Joffé, thy free adaptation of the Hawthorne classic didst produce abudant derisive laughter. Didst thou once direct 'The Killing Fields?'
Corny, heavy-handed, but definitely romantic, The Scarlet Letter is a mindless piece of historical amusement.
Roland Joffe's deeply ridiculous movie is caught between rocks and hard places, from its "what were they thinking?" concept ("freely adapted from the novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne") to its muddled execution.
Latest News for The Scarlet Letter
March 30, 2009:
An Easy A for Emma Stone ![]()
Emma Stone will star in a "modern, high-school retelling" of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," penned by Bert V. Royal and titled "Easy A." More...
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