paul-servini2

I couldn't help getting a feeling of déjà vu whilst watching this film. Maybe, it was because I know the book well, and because the film often mimicked techniques used in earlier versions. I expected more from Polanski, having been marvelled by his adaption of Tess of the Durbevilles. So, on the whole I was a little bored and quite disappointed. The performances were up to scratch and the scenario, whilst taking some liberties, did do justice to Dickens' story. Perhaps, if anything it was all too clean. Surely, a master like Polanski could have done more to reflect the actual squalor so vivid in Dickens' own descriptions.

I enjoyed the film a lot but for me there were two glaring weaknesses. The first was the way Aslan was portrayed. There was very little of the glory and majesty of the Aslan of C.S. Lewis' books. This is a major weakness, although perhaps one that never can be conquered on film. It was for this reason that Lewis himself was vehemently opposed to the stories being filmed. The second weakness was not so important but still disturbed me. The first time Lucy sees the wardrobe it stands out as being something special. Although this may be along the lines of other fantasy films, it is not in keeping with what Lewis wanted to portray. The wardrobe was a perfectly normal wardrobe with no magical qualities whatsoever.

Yes, maybe there are parts of this film which require suspending belief a little but that doesn't take anything away from the film's charm and wonder. It was shown as part of our town's youth film festival and was the organising committee's favourite. Which is not surprising. The subject matter - coming together in a race-torn, though post-apartheid South Africa is highly topical and the treatment of the theme is inspirational. Of course, as the previous comment mentions the film does have its shortcomings, but the realism of the setting and the way the director treats his subject matter belies these shortcomings. I saw this with my wife and we returned the same evening with the children. A film to watch, meditate, discuss and act upon.