A Comparison of Jean Rhys’ novel Wild Sargasso Sea and the BBC’s film adaptation
Having read Wide Sargasso Sea I had high expectations for the film adaptation by the BBC. From part one of the book I felt involved and motivated to continue reading as the fast paced story unravelled. However after watching the film I have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed. Although it provided us with the fast paced action which the book promised I felt that it did not fulfil the true representation of the character of Bertha as a whole.
In the book Bertha was presented to us as a mad woman, but whose actions can be justified. Yet in the films adaptation she appeared to be acting in a crazy manner. I believe that the film presented us with a bias view of bertha as it skipped over the majority of Berthas childhood and so Bertha’s behaviour cannot be so easily justified. In this respect anyone who has not read the book would not have the knowledge of Bertha’s early life and can therefore not make the same allowances and judgements as those who have read the book. Consequently I do not think that the film has given a fair portrayal of Bertha.
On the other hand I think that the depiction of the emancipation of slavery and status were both done in a clever and insightful manner. Rochester’s demeanour and his treatment of Amelie is well portrayed and reminiscent of both the book and the era; this is noticeable especially in view of the evening in which Rochester and Amelie have sex and how he offers her a gift of money the morning after. I think that the film adaptation was particularly strong on the theme of sex throughout which was not as focused upon during the book. I believe that this was largely played up in order to interest the viewers and I think that it was a little superfluous.
On the whole I think that it was successful and worked well as a film but I did not enjoy it having already read and enjoyed the novel of Wild Sargasso Sea. I felt that the novel was good enough not to have to resort to including such graphic sex scenes as that of the film. Overall I would have to say that I much preferred the book in comparison to the television adaptation.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I found it to be the other way around- I thought that in the book, Bertha was more insanw than in the film adaptation. In the film I thought that it was Rochester's poor treatment of her that drove her to become insane: The expectation of her insanity and the lack of respect and love that occurred..
The film left me feeling sympathetic towards Bertha. You say that the film doesn't give a true representation of her. What would you say this should be? Are you mostly referring to how her behaviour should be depicted?
Who is the central character in the film, Bertha or Rochester? Is it his or her story?
i think that a true representation of Bertha would be one of which gives her entire background in order for her to be fairly judged, and yes i am referrring mostly to how her behavior should be depicted.
i can see your point on this lyn but i don't completely agree. i don't think that it was only Rochester's poor treatment that made her insane i think that it just contributed towards it.
Post a Comment