Well, I finally saw Into the Woods last night. As a fan of the stage original, I thought they did a stellar job of adapting it for the screen. Some necessary changes, of course, but it really wasnt Disneyfied. Its still dark, and if anything, the ending is even *more* somber because the final (upbeat) song plays over the credits rather than in the film itself. My only complaint is that Lilla Crawfords take on I Know Things Now is too upbeat. In the Broadway production, Little Red brought out a ton of nuance in that song; shes an assault survivor, after all. (Now I know, dont be scared / Grannys right; just be prepared / Isnt it nice to know a lot? / ...And a little bit not.) Ouch. Lilla doesnt convey the inner turmoil suggested by that final twist of a line, and since thats one of my favorite songs, I was sad about that. Shes terrific in every other scene, though, as is the rest of the cast. A few songs got cut, but I loved that in several cases we hear instrumental versions playing during the scenes where wed normally expect those songs. I stand by what I said yesterday, though. This isnt a show for kids, and if youre not familiar with the original, you should know that (like Les Mis) this is a heavy show, not all lighthearted, especially toward the end. You should also know that (much more than Les Mis) the songs are complex and steeped in many layers of symbolism. Nearly every character represents something or other, and nearly every song has a lesson to teach. This isnt a film you see to relax and let it wash over you; this is a film you see to be punched in the gut and reminded to reexamine yourself and look at life in new ways. Its not for everyone, but I find it rewarding, and I think its a great adaptation.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 18:01:06 +0000
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