Picnic

The 1955 film is one of my favorites, so it colors my assessment of this newer version. If the classic film did not exist, this TV movie would be a bit more engaging and commendable. But though competently made on a far less opulent budget, it pales in most respects.

The acting performances in this remake are, for the most part, more true to life, but lack the emotional punch and/or charisma of Holden, Novak, Russell, and all the fine actors of the 1955 version. The TV movie is bland in comparison.

The script is serviceable but unmemorable; the 1955 script is full of memorable moments and dialog.

The TV movie's music is especially inferior, generic small ensemble music, with some obviously synthesized instuments. Compare that to the 1955 film's beautiful and effective big orchestra score, by George Dunning.

The last scene in both versions is instuctive. The 1955 version gives me a rush of elation, a feeling of joyous culmination. The TV movie, ehh.

And though I was very fond of Mary Steinburgen in "Melvin and Howard" and "Time After Time", here she is completely miscast as the old maid middle aged school teacher. She's too pretty and sexy for the role, and lacks the emotional impact Rosiland Russell gave to what should be a pitiful despirate character.

Perhaps it's because I am so in love with the William Holden - Kim Novak version, or because I'm not a Gen-X'er, but this was absolutely the worst remake I have ever seen. Without the original's soundtrack, it just seemed like another typical TV movie...yes, about as bland as Kraft cheese.

According to reviewers, the year is 1955 and the players are 20 year-old college kids about to enter grad school. Jolly joke!

1955? The synthesizer keyboard was not invented yet, but there it is on the bandstand. The Ford Pony Car was not invented yet, but there it is playing oldies music. The synthesizer appeared to be a model from the mid 1970's. The Pony Car at best is from the mid 1960's.

20 year-old college kids? Josh Brolin had seen 32 birthdays when this made-for-TV movie was produced.

The plot is so predictable that viewers have plenty of spare time to think of all the errors appearing upon their TV's.

what a horrible treatment to a great script....all the characters are stiff and without any merit for the audience... how dare they ruin a wonderful story .. and especially try to duplicate a masterpiece.. with Holden and Novak... it stinks

The Czech director Ivan Passer is perhaps the most unfulfilled of great contemporary filmmakers. His masterpieces in America--BORN TO WIN and CUTTER'S WAY--were seen by almost no one, and I doubt he had much of an audience for this "Kraft Premier Movie," which belies Robert Altman's notorious remark about Kraft's television products--"as bland as their cheese." William Inge's study of stifled erotic yearning in a small town now takes on a mythic stature. But powerful as that mythos is, Passer doesn't turn the star-crossed leads (Gretchen Mol and Josh Brolin, both luminous) into statues. On the contrary, he just accretes amazing lyricism everywhere--it stacks up on the surface of the movie like so many barnacles. The ending is a blissful liftoff that may make you feel you're living in another time and place. Visually, the work may not be as distinguished as you might like, but in terms of intuitive rhapsodic skill, Passer is right up there with Altman. Somebody, anybody, get this man more work.