Basil

In Basil's secret and unconsummated marriage to the linen-draper's sexually precocious daughter, and the shocking betrayal, insanity, and death that follow, novelist Wilkie Collins reveals the bustling, commercial London of the nineteenth century wreaking its vengeance on a still powerful aristocratic world. Contemporary reviewers of the novel vehemently disapproved of that explicit treatment of adultery; and even today the passionate and lurid atmosphere Collins creates still has the power to disturb. 'Basil' has a good basic plot, but the protagonist is difficult to like. His reasoning is unconvincing, and his actions verge on stupidity. There are also plot holes, things that just don't make logical sense. Basil has flaws, but it began the mystery thriller that Collins would adopt later on in The Moonstone and The woman in white. Whereas in 'The Moonstone' things are difficult to predict, and unable to see where things are going, 'Basil' isn't discreet enough, there are no red herrings, what you read are the glaringly obvious hints that lead the story on and lead you to guess the subsequent events. This makes watching 'Basil' a lot less thrilling. There is too much foreshadowing, and too much of it is made very clear. Oddly enough, Basil is more popular among all the movie versions of Collins' works. It is far from being the best of them, though.

Basil hooks up with the grungy Christian Slater, who helps hook him up with the object of his lust, played by Claire Forlani.

And it all goes downhill from there. Seems like it might've been an ok Victoria melodrama to read, but on film, it's just boring.

This movie is based on Wilkie Collins' (author of Moonstone and Woman int White) little known 2nd novel "Basil". The story is an unexpected combination of a Victorian Gothic novel with lust, passion, betrayal, revenge and more. It comes across as more sensational and modern than one would expect from a story from the mid 1800s. I think the screenplay expanded upon the novel. The plot twists are quite startling and some aspects of the story don't make that much sense in a but it's a suspenseful and satisfying yarn to watch on screen.

The filming is quite well done with atmospheric locations and sets. The cast is interesting with Jared Leto and Christian Slater both playing English characters with accents that aren't quite spot on of course. Half Italian Claire Forlani plays an English lady although she has a slightly Mediterranean look.

Instead of watching another adaptation of Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights give this one a chance.

It's a tempting story about lust, deception, revenge and obsession. Nothing's wrong with this movie, the three eye catching main cast were doing fine for the film, but the story itself just lack the passion of becoming a powerful drama.

After the fast and intriguing pace from the midway of the movie until the edge, the movie was washed off by a poorly executed climax which made it ended up so cliché. It's not a mainstream ending but at the same time looks so lame and motiveless. Too bad.

But again I think this is still a better romantic thriller film than most teenage romantic movie you'll find everywhere this day. But it was surely a movie only to watch when you're in the mood.

I watched this movie on AMC yesterday afternoon. I was glued to my television set for 2 hours. I didn't move a muscle. I must say that most of my faith in Christian Slater is restored. His work in this film is superb. I attempted to explain this movie to someone, but it was just too complicated. The story was excellent! Unfortunately, this film wasn't released in theaters. I certainly would have paid $6.50 to see it again.