Oprah Winfrey is the richest person in US entertainment industry and of the most powerful persons in the country. Much of her power manifested itself by her long-running talk show which, among other things, contributed a lot to putting two presidents – George W. Bush and Barack Obama – to White House. But even more spectacular display of power in that show happened with various books that became best sellers solely on the account of being praised by the host. However, attempt to show some of that power on the big screen in the form of Beloved, 1998 period drama directed by Jonathan Demme, ended as fiasco.
The film is based on eponymous 1987 novel by African American writer Toni Morrison which had won Pulitzer Prize and many prestigious awards, including a praise by Winfrey on her show. The plot begins in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1865, at the end of Civil War. Protagonist, played by Winfrey (who is also one of film’s producers) is Sethe, former black slave who lives in house haunted by poltergeist which is so violent that two of her sons leave. Sethe is continues with her daughter Denver (played by Kimberly Elise) and eight years later is visited by Paul D. (played by Danny Glover), drifter and former friend with whom she lived at Sweet Home, Southern plantation while both were slaves. Paul settles in her home which makes poltergeist even more violent. Those manifestations stop when a stranger arrives near Sethe’s house – mysterious and mentally challenged young woman named “Beloved” (played by Thandie Newton). Sethe brings her to her house while Denver tries to become her friend. Beloved is, however, more focused towards bonding with Sethe and it turns out that she might have something to do with tragic and deeply traumatic event from Sethe’s past.
Beloved was supposed to be grand film and, judging by the names involved, had all the ingredients to become one. Its director Jonathan Demme has triumphed with The Silence with the Lambs and brough Tom Hanks his first Oscar with Philadelphia. Film features good cinematography by Demme’s old associate Tak Fujimoto and Winfrey, despite lack of conventional acting experience, does solid job in the role of Sethe. Despite all that and all the publicity provided by Winfrey, Beloved sank at the box office.
Even after few minutes of watching the film viewers might get some idea why it happened. Winfrey obviously loved the book, but she apparently loved it too much and tried not to discard anything during the adaptation. As a result, novel that had few hundred pages of text gives impression of being at least ten times longer on screen. Morrison’s text at the beginning looks too hermetic and constant flashbacks don’t help. Audience unfamiliar with certain dark chapters of US history in 19th Century is going to be at odds with many details of the plot and characters. Another great disappointment is Rachel Portman’s music score. But what makes this film unbearable is the performance of Thandie Newton who, in attempt to depict mentally challenged character, goes over the top and turns the film into overlong “Oscar bait”. Although praised by the critics, Beloved turned into one of the rare dark spots of Winfrey’s career and became textbook example of vanity project going very wrong.
RATING: 2/10 (-)
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