This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

Let's be realistic.

Fantastic!

A Disappointing Continuation

This movie is based on Wilkie Collins' (author of Moonstone and Woman int White) little known 2nd novel "Basil". The story is an unexpected combination of a Victorian Gothic novel with lust, passion, betrayal, revenge and more. It comes across as more sensational and modern than one would expect from a story from the mid 1800s. I think the screenplay expanded upon the novel. The plot twists are quite startling and some aspects of the story don't make that much sense in a but it's a suspenseful and satisfying yarn to watch on screen.The filming is quite well done with atmospheric locations and sets. The cast is interesting with Jared Leto and Christian Slater both playing English characters with accents that aren't quite spot on of course. Half Italian Claire Forlani plays an English lady although she has a slightly Mediterranean look.Instead of watching another adaptation of Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights give this one a chance.

Yet another example that just plodding through a novel has little to do with making a tenable film. This one just thrashes through the story with nary a nod to cinematic necessities. But it does have Derek Jacobi, an actor with so much presence it almost makes the trip worthwhile. Derek knows how to create a character that is in two minds at once. That way we know we have something to recall when new information is revealed.Everyone else seems to lack direction.The original story had promise because of the revealing layers and plots. But it is all so drearily presented one hardly cares.Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

Yuck. I caught this on the Women's Entertainment channel last night and the hosts promised it would give the viewer insight into how men think. Didn't work. I know it was a melodrama, but between some of the casting and the simplistic story line, I couldn't even enjoy it for that. Jason Leto delivered a very callow Basil who did not age credibly, and Christian Slater's English accent came and went. Derek Jacobi did his very best to raise the level of quality acting, but by far Claire Forlani did the best job of putting life into her role. (SPOILER) What really hacked me off was the simplistic approach to women: the blonde women were sacrificing and obedient; the dark one were untrustworthy and sluts. I really tried to like this - and wasn't looking for much - but I really couldn't get into it.And the Cinematherapy hosts don't help. They twice misnamed one of the characters. It would be a better show if you actually believed the hosts had seen the film!

"Basil" is a curiously compelling film. I rented it purely because it "looked Victorian" and I was in the mood for something different. It turned out to be very Victorian, a family saga set somewhere in the 19th Century. Wealthy, but not titled, father has two sons. His pompous and hypocritical Victorian "family values" provide the dramatic force for the story -- otherwise, it's just a bland Harlequin-type romance. The father's confrontations with sons over women end each time with decisions totally alien to our modern sensibilities. Very jarring. Jared Leto as Basil is a little strained in his acting, but always nice to look at. C. Slater is surprisingly (and obviously) good in this "historical" role, and he has a secret which provides a twist near the end. The end itself provides a strange turn that may make you wonder if Basil wouldn't have been happier in a new-age commune in modern New Mexico. Of course, it is basically a chick-flick....