The Bride

I don't see this as a remake of _Bride of Frankenstein_ at all. In _Bride of Frankenstein_ the bride is created, rejects the idea of being the monster's mate, and is brought down together with monster, maker, and laboratory. That happens here too, but it's only the beginning and the movie mostly gives us the further adventures of the trio after they have picked themselves up and dusted themselves off.

The bride on the one hand is groomed to be a woman who can achieve anything but is unaware of her origin, though she is does find an ossuary a fascinating place to be. The monster on the other hand is all too aware of his origin but unaware of his potential as a human being. This makes an interesting contrast, but mostly the film is just more of the James Whale sort of thing, for people who like that sort of thing. It's respectful, not exploitative, but not ground-breaking either.

After the creation of his creature (Clancy Brown), Dr. Frankenstein (Sting) researches and creates a perfect woman, Eva (Jennifer Beals), to be the mate of the creature. However, the anxiety of the creature creates havoc in the laboratory that is burnt down and explodes, killing Frankenstein's assistants Dr. Zahlus (Quentin Crisp) and Paulus (Timothy Spall). Dr. Frankenstein believes the creature died too but he flees to the woods. Soon he meets and befriends the dwarf Rinaldo (David Rappaport), who gives a name to him, Viktor, and invites him to work in a circus in Budapest. Meanwhile Frankenstein and his house keeper Mrs. Baumann (Geraldine Page) teach Eva how to behave and to be independent. One day, Frankenstein introduces Eva to the high-society, telling that she was found amnesic in the woods and has become his protégée. But Frankenstein becomes obsessed of Eva while Viktor and she have a strange connection. What will happen to Eva?

"The Bride" is a different version of Frankenstein story by Mary Shelley. The film is actually a romance that begins slow paced but well resolved in the end. Clancy Brown has an outstanding performance in the role of the naive creature. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "A Prometida" ("The Promised One")

MORD39 RATING: ** out of ****

This movie is too wrongly maligned. It's at least enjoyable half of the time, since it functions as two different stories which merge together later on.

The best part of the movie regards the adventures of the Frankenstein Monster (well-played by Clancy Brown) and his friendly dwarf companion (the excellent David Rappaport) as they roam the exquisite countryside trying to discover their dreams. When this half of the movie is playing, you can't help but be moved.

Unfortunately, the other half consists of rock star Sting (it hurts me to say this, but I think he makes a good Frankenstein) and the gorgeous Jennifer Beals as his latest creation. They don't add anything to the whole mix, though,, and only get in the way and slow things down. This film could have been quite good indeed had these parts been removed, and the exploits of the monster and his pal been fleshed out.

I think my opinion is a popular one among critics and fans, but one thing is clear: this film is not as bad as some think, and it's in no way intended to be a re-make of 1935's BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN.

The lovely young student of Baron Charles Frankenstein tires of his strict tutelage and rebels, unaware she was indeed brought to life by the mad doctor--sewn together from corpses--and that a male counterpart to whom she was intended is roaming the countryside. Director Franc Roddam and screenwriter Lloyd Fonvielle's underrated rethinking of 1935's "The Bride of Frankenstein" hasn't much intrinsic spirit, though it does have lyrical scenes and interesting performances which qualify it as a fascinating misfire. As the Baron, rock star Sting poses sufficiently and glowers moodily, though he's all on one-note; Jennifer Beals is somewhat better as the Bride--with feminist leanings--and a number of her scenes (such as her first run-in with a cat and her dialogue with a derelict traveler) are quite beguiling. Critically-lambasted film has beauty, but little mystery--it's intriguing without truly being effective. Clancy Brown plays the initial (sympathetic) creation of Frankenstein, and his friendship with happy-go-lucky dwarf David Rappaport is marvelous, though this side-story really belongs to a separate picture (it holds the central action back, and keeps it from blossoming). "The Bride" is surprisingly ambitious and has rather grand moments, but a complete success it is not. **1/2 from ****

... but fails to add up to much. For some reason, the doctor's name is Charles this time around. Rock star Sting stars as Chuck Frankenstein, who has already created his original monster (Clancy Brown) as the film begins, and he's in the midst of creating his piecemeal bride. Assisting him are Quentin Crisp as a stand-in for the old film's Pretorius, and Timothy Spall as an Igor-type. Things go south, and Clancy goes on the run. Chuck decides to "raise" the beautiful bride (Jennifer Beals) as his ward, and introduce her into high society. Clancy meets a traveling dwarf (David Rappaport) who decides to name the creature Viktor, and they eventually start to work in a circus. Much of the film is a split narrative. Half follows Chuck Frankenstein and the bride, now named Eva, while the other half follows Viktor and his life in the circus.

Also featuring comedian Alexei Sayle, Anthony Higgins, 60's supermodel Veruschka as a Countess, Cary Elwes as a dashing young courtier, and Geraldine Page as Chuck's housekeeper and tutor to Eva. The costumes are nice, and there's an old-fashioned score by Maurice Jarre. The problems come from a lack of narrative flow, little momentum, and some underwritten characters. Frankenstein completists should see it for the variations on the theme, but most viewers will be bored when they're not rolling their eyes. This was originally touted as being a feminist take on the story, but I didn't really see that then or now.

Too bad Jennifer Beal wasn't justly compensated for "Flashdance" two years earlier - she only got 15K for her role! - or she might have had better roles to choose from than this.