I finally saw Alice in Wonderland, courtesy of the in-flight movie selections on my latest trans-Atlantic flight. Overall, I really enjoyed it: I thought Mia Wasikowska captured the right mix of wide-eyed Alice and skeptical Alice, Helena Bonham Carter's tone was appropriately imperious, and Johnny Depp was brilliant.
But -- and, you knew there was a but! -- I cringed (multiple times) at the deviations from Carroll's original storylines. e.g., Alice's famous line in the film? Not actually said by her in the original:
"I can't believe that!" said Alice.
"Can't you?" the [White] Queen said in a pitying tone. "Try again: draw a long breath, and shut your eyes."
Alice laughed. "There's no use trying," she said: one can't believe impossible things."
"I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.''
August 4, 2010
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I will agree with you on the perfection of Helena Bonham Carter, although I do prefer her take on Bellatrix Lestrange!
ReplyDeleteWhat truly bothered me about this version was the stupid dance at the end. Made the great things about the film absolutely trash in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's been awhile since I read the story, but the idea is that the potential mother-in-law is the Red Queen and the other Wonderland characters correspond with the real-world characters right? I mentioned that to my in-laws and they thought I was nuts...Just looking for some vindication here!
Who doesn't love Johnny Depp dancing!
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, the idea is that the characters all resemble real persons in Alice's life. That beautiful, hazy blend of reality seeping into one's dreams...