IT’S ALIVE!
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s thriller flick “The Bride!” came to theaters March sixth. If there were two words to describe this film, they’d be poetic and entertaining. This movie is anything but dull, it’s bound to be cult classic.
The plot of this movie is simple: In 1930’s Chicago, Frankenstein’s monster begs a woman by the name of Dr. Euphronius to make him a wife. However, this film is anything but simple. Frankenstein’s monster and the bride’s adventure led to romance, crime and a demand for social change.
Jessie Buckley, the leading lady who plays the bride is fantastic. The madness and anger in her performance are almost tangible. Her character development is believable and makes a person want to feel sympathy for her. In the movie, she becomes an inspiration to women all over America.
Not only were the performances great, but so was costuming and makeup. Christian Bale plays Frankenstein’s monster and it’s hard to tell who is under all the special effects makeup. The costuming is time-period accurate and adds to the characters’ personality. Specifically, the character of Myrna is put into colorful, but professional looking outfits, which are perfect for her.
The film itself is bizarre and artsy, but that’s fitting for a movie like this. There are scenes shot in black and white and they add depth to the story. Visually, the shots draw a person in and keep them from looking away. The sound design and song choices are also elements that make this film unique and exciting. In one scene, an instrumental version of Irving Berlin’s “Puttin’ On the Ritz,” is used, this is special to any avid monster movie watcher because the song was used in the 1974 movie “Young Frankenstein.” The film also helps present itself as a dark comedy by using “Monster Mash” in the end credits.
This project has its faults, however. People may gripe that Frankenstein’s monster is referred to only as Frankenstein and some may not like that it’s two hours long. Others may not enjoy the themes of feminism and think they’re outdated, but it is not carried out in a cheesy way at all. Now more than ever, strong female characters are needed in media.
To compare this movie, if it is comparable, it would be the story of Bonnie and Clyde meets the film “Lisa Frankenstein.” For only her third directing credit, Maggie Gyllenhaal executes this story in the ideal mix of campy and serious. This film is a subtle example of the punk subculture and everything it stands for. The movie is available to watch at local theatres and for purchase. So, watch out Hollywood, here comes “The Bride!”
