Jacob Have I Loved

I had to watch this in school. And to sum it up...

Talentless actors, talentless script, and a talentless director.

This movie is such a waste of your time. Don't even watch the movie. Don't bother. You will be so disappointed. My teacher said it was supposed to be good. How wrong she was. She even slept through it a little. The movie's actors were just bad. The best actor in there was the old man and that's not saying much. It's has horrible plot with awful characters. So unrealistic and I can honestly said it had no point. The script was unemotional and confusing. There was points in the movie when I furrowed my brows and said, "What?". Also there were just too many loose ties and plot holes. It was just absolutely horrendous.

I loved the book of Jacob Have I Loved and never thought I could like any film made of it. But this film achieves the impossible. The characters come alive. It is beautiful to look at, and since the Chesapeake Bay is a character itself, it's as if you are right there in the story. The director managed to tell the story on film without losing any depth or character development. Bridget Fonda plays the main character, Louise, with great restraint. Louise hates her fraternal twin sister, Caroline, who seems to have everything. Louise has to learn her own worth. She does this with the help of an old sea captain who returns to the island. The story develops very simply, but powerfully, and reflects the tone of the people who live on the island. The film takes place during World War II and it is instructive to see how people behaved when they had to pitch in when times got rough. Though the film is realistic there are lyrical moments as well. The storm is a metaphor for the storm that is raging inside Louise. By the time the film ends, we learn what drives all the characters, and realize that there is a way out for Louise. The film is a small gem and should be seen not only by lovers of the book, but by lovers of film as well. A rare adaptation, well done.

I really enjoyed the movie! I read "Jacob Have I Loved" in high school and still find myself relating to Louise. This movie did a job well done portraying Caroline as a selfish, beautiful lady, while Louise is the better of the two when it comes to what is important in a person, they're character and heart. Some people who have read the book might not like what they've done with the movie, but you have to remember that this is only an TV movie, 53 minutes long. The producers have taken the important elements of the book (the birth of the twins, Louise's friendship with Call, Caroloine leaving the island, Louise's relationship with the Captain)and turned into an enjoyable movie I would show in my classroom if we were reading the book! The only problem I had was at the end of the movie they did not say of whatever happened to Louise, but I guess to find out you need to read the book!

I haven't read the book on which this is based, but I would hope that it is more substantial than this adaptation would suggest. It was made for television, so I can live with the cheap-looking sets and photography, but the acting was pretty iffy, even for TV. Most detrimental to the film is its length. 55 minutes wasn't enough to develop characters and relationships, much less over the span of a year, as the story does. Despite its cheap, rushed nature, it does have some nice cinematography and a decent score. It also takes place in my native Maryland. It's not something I would advocate buying on DVD, but it wouldn't hurt to watch if they decided to run it on TV again.

A family friend (Ms. Miles) took us to her home on the Eastern Shore to watch the filming at her family's home. A few rooms were off-limits to us as these were interior shots. I remember the Captain being drunk a lot and everyone always searching for him and Bridget Fonda was always cold. It was pretty chilly without having cold water sprayed onto her for the storm and Bay shots. I never saw the movie in its entirety until tonight. I have to say I was a bit disappointed, but after reading some reviews I realize 55 min isn't enough time to make the characters more likeable. Maybe I will read the book!! RIP Ms. Elizabeth Miles, a true friend when I was young and a dedicated, amazing woman!!