Jacob Have I Loved

This was just plain terrible. I read this book for school, i made As on all of the tests, and to see it like this! My teacher forced me and 20 other people to watch it, and it was worse than Leonard Part 6, Plan 9 from Outer Space, and Hudson Hawk put together. The thing that made this film so terrible was enough reasons to want to kill yourself over. First of all, it was made on Hallmark. Second, the acting was terrible. Third, it was like completely different from the book. Literally, it was so bad I asked myself to be excused. Basically, I would rather watch Basic Instinct 2 than watch this. Take my advice, don't watch this film. No one would want to watch this. It was horrible. HORRIBLE!

But I got over it. To me, it seemed that even the Author of the book favored Caroline. I felt so sorry for the character Louise, and she was constantly compared with Esau who was evil, I just felt the comparison was a bit harsh and un-realistic. Really though, the movie was bad. I wouldn't really see it unless you're ready for a big let down.

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!!

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!