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"Lassie Has Come
Home Again!" |
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Directed by Charles
Sturridge - Written by
Charles Sturridge
Starring Samantha
Morton, John Lynch,
Peter O'Toole, Peter
Dinklage, Lassie
Distributed by Roadside
Attractions - 2006 -
100mins - Rated PG |
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Richard Propes'
Review
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A- |
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More than a hero. A legend. |
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"Lassie" is the best
family film of 2006.
Yes, that's right. You heard me correctly. Forget the CGI invasion,
forget about "Cars," forget about cute little cuddly penguins and, for
sure, forget about stop-motion human beings with creepy, bugged-out
eyes.
Lassie" has come home.
In this, the latest update/remake in a long line of "Lassie" films
since the first story appeared in 1938, screenwriter/director Charles
Sturridge ("Brideshead Revisited" and "Gulliver's Travels") has
returned to the roots of family cinema with a patient, thoughtful,
heartfelt and genuinely entertaining that defies almost every custom
of contemporary film-making that succeeds where so many other family
films fail.
Set in Great Britain near the start of World War II, "Lassie" returns
to the roots of the story, as well. "Lassie" is a beautiful dog living
in the not so beautiful working class home of Joe (newcomer Jonathan
Mason) and his parents (Samantha Morton and John Lynch).
When the family experiences a financial crisis after the closing of
the local mine, the Duke (Peter O'Toole) is all too willing to
purchase Lassie, both to add Lassie to his collection of dogs and to
please his granddaughter (newcomer Hester Odgers). Lassie, of course,
is far too loyal to be kept away from her beloved Joe. Thus, she
escapes repeatedly and much to the dismay of the Duke's right-hand
man, Edward Hynes (Steve Pemberton).
"Lassie" is, purely and simply, a family film about love, loyalty,
family and kindness. It promises and delivers nothing beyond these
four things, however, it delivers these four things in abundance.
To sit and describe the storyline of "Lassie" feels somehow
irrelevant. While the story is here, well-written and well developed,
the story of "Lassie" has always been a basic story. Lassie, even when
moved over 500 miles away to Scotland, remains determined to find Joe
and remains steadfast on her mission. Her only detours along the way
are to reward kindness and to confront those would do her or others
harm.
It is a simple message, and yet so beautifully presented here that one
would have to be an impenetrable stone to not be moved by it.
Being a British production, "Lassie" feels more authentic and less
"rah rah" than its typical American production. While it is reasonable
to expect a happy ending, British film-makers speak down less to
children and are much more willing to present sadness, challenge and
even evil along the way. Sturridge, without preaching, beautifully
blends the often stark realities of life with the powerful lessons
that "Lassie" has always offered.
As the young Joe, newcomer Jonathan Mason brings to mind Freddie
Highmore with his pouty, inward appearance and earnest, yet insecure
affect. While not quite possessing Highmore's range, his appearance
here is heartfelt and delightful without ever becoming pretentious or
self-aware.
How Sturridge managed to cast "Lassie" with such acting powerhouses is
difficult to imagine, but the cast alone instantly elevates "Lassie"
beyond the realm of your ordinary family film. As Joe's parents,
Samantha Morton and John Lynch are a convincing couple. Morton, in
particular, brings to mind her wondrously complex performance from "In
America," a film that reminded us that Morton is most certainly one of
this generation's most dependable actresses. Instead of turning this
role into its potential caricature, Morton is utterly devastating to
watch as she attempts to comfort Joe after they've sold Lassie.
In Peter O'Toole's first minute onscreen, I began to wonder if,
perhaps, O'Toole were going the way of acting legend Katharine
Hepburn's last few performances. These performances, you may recall,
were noted more for illustrating the physical decline of the actress
than for serving as a reminder of her tremendous acting skill.
O'Toole, at first glance, appears to waver a bit and even a bit weak.
Yet, quite literally, within the very first minute O'Toole springs to
life with remarkable energy and spirit. As Lord Rudling, O'Toole
powerfully brings to life a man who neither apologizes for his wealth
nor becomes a captive to it. his scenes with his young granddaughter,
Cilla, are playful, touching and, well, remarkable.
Interspersed throughout these scenes and main characters are moments
of cinematic delight featuring cameos by a variety of actors and
actresses whose single moments are screen are filled with innocence
and wonder and giddy childlike giggles.
Kelly MacDonald surfaces as a young woman who advocates for Lassie by
confronting a mean-spirited dogcatcher, while Edward Fox diverts his
attention from seeking out the Loch Ness Monster by watching this
mysterious dog along the beaches of the Loch.
Perhaps the film's most moving, tear-jerking moments come courtesy of
actor Peter Dinklage ("The Station Agent" and "Elf"), as a dwarf whose
traveling puppet show becomes a safe haven for the traveling Lassie.
Dinklage, with amazing vulnerability, had me reduced to sobs as he
comforted his beloved Toots, a mutt who had just been beaten while
defending him.
Howard Atherton's cinematography is simple yet captivating, while
Adrian Johnston's original music greatly enhances the story without
crossing the line into intentionally manipulating one's emotions.
While a couple historical inaccuracies could be noted, the vast
majority of movie-going audiences will be clueless regarding these and
they don't distract from the story at all.
"Lassie" is what I commonly refer to as a "talking" movie. Whereas
most American family films used distraction and special effects to
keep children in their seats and their attention on the screen,
British films tend to more trust the intelligence and inquisitive
nature of children. With its portrayal of very real danger and, at
times, cruelty "Lassie" is the type of film where you may very well
hear children around you saying "Mommy, why'd he hit Lassie?" or
asking any number of other questions. For me, this is a considerable
plus to the film viewing experience. The questions children ask, their
dismay at violence and their natural curiosity is a delightful
addition to the film's soundtrack. As I sat in the movie theatre
listening to the children around me, it became abundantly clear that
this beautiful, loyal and entertaining dog had won their hearts.
That leads, of course, to "Lassie" herself. As portrayed by two dogs,
"Lassie" is utterly captivating. Her looks, her natural instincts, her
gentleness in comforting young Joe and Sturridge's subtle touches with
her behavior all truly add up to make Lassie the unquestionable star
of this film.
Some will feel "Lassie" too basic.
Some will consider "Lassie" too slow a film for American audiences.
Some, in fact, will call "Lassie" out for manipulating their emotions.
They will all be wrong...pure and simple. "Lassie" is, without a
doubt, the best kind of family film that exists. "Lassie" is a
genuine, heartfelt, intelligent and dignified film that will entertain
and enthrall family members of all ages. "Lassie" is a film that will
make you laugh and, perhaps even more often, reduce you to tears.
Who'd have thought that a nearly 70-year-old story about a boy and his
dog could end up being the saving grace of contemporary family cinema?
"Lassie" truly has come home. "Lassie" is the best family film of
2006. |
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© Written by Richard Propes -
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