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Amazon.co.uk Review
This layered film, a labour of love from director Jonathan Demme and star Oprah Winfrey, covers a lot of turf in its nearly three-hour running time. Part slavery fable, part mother-daughter tale, part ghost story, Beloved demands an audience's full attention from its dramatic, slightly bewildering opening, when a family dog comes down on the wrong side of some angry, unseen force. But Demme and his talented cast provide an unforgettable payoff for those who surrender.
The film traces the life of Sethe (played in her middle years by Winfrey), a former slave who has rebuilt what seems to be a peaceful, productive life in Ohio. Yet through chilling, sparing use of flashback, Demme slowly unveils, as does the Toni Morrison masterpiece on which the film is based, the horrors of Sethe's former life, and the terrible event that led to the haunting of Sethe's home.
While the horrors of slavery and the bloody event in Sethe's family leave undeniable impressions, the film's brilliance is also evidenced in smaller, equally satisfying ways. Rachel Portman's spiritual-influenced score is as uplifting as it is haunting, and the glimpses of the post-slavery African American world--as with a simple family outing to a local carnival, or a ladies' sewing-and-gospel circle--make this a treat for the intellect as well as the heart. The members of the cast, especially Kimberly Elise as Sethe's struggling daughter and Thandie Newton as the mysterious title character, are supremely affecting. --Anne Hurley, Amazon.com
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
The film adaptation certainly does the novel proud. It makes the story more accessible and easier to comprehend in comparison to the fragmentory nature of the book.
Part history, part ghost story and part fiction, this is a powerful and tragic story which in places is truly disturbing. This film is a nightmare-invoking blend of beauty and horror that will stay with me forever.
Part history, part ghost story and part fiction, this is a powerful and tragic story which in places is truly disturbing. This film is a nightmare-invoking blend of beauty and horror that will stay with me forever.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
A brilliant adaptation of Toni Morrisson's novel. It shows us the harsh realisation of slavery in the nineteenth century,as well as showing us the importance and relationship within a typical "black" American family during this horrific time. The idea that Sethe, the mother, felt that it would be better for her daughter to be killed then for her to be forced into slavery shows us the extent of torture that the slaves faced. We also see how intently the "black" American women believe in spirits and reincarnation.
A very tragic story of suffering and a families determination to survive "freedom".
A very tragic story of suffering and a families determination to survive "freedom".
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This is an amazing film. It tells the story of a former slave who is haunted by her past, but who eventually (in true Oprah style) overcomes it and finds peace. I had read the book first, and I would think that it would be hard to follow the film if you had not. It is so worth it to read the book once or twice and then enjoy the film. The acting is very good, but it is the power of the tragic story that is the real wonder. I can see why it bombed at the box office as it is not for all, but if you like Toni Morrison, you will love this film.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fast delvers
Within a few days we received this DVD. It has dutch subtitels, although this information was missing in the discription.
Published 1 month ago by L.
Not Compatible with video players in the UK
This DVD is not compatible with dvd players in the UK or at least not with mine which is set up and configured to play DVDs produced for use in the UK. Read more
Published 3 months ago by amoami
Could have been better
I have seen the film and read the book, and my advice to anyone who is going to watch this film is "read the book first". Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2009 by Iorek
FINE STORY, FINE FILM, FINE ACTORS
Having just watched this dvd last night I agree with all said before. I found this story to be totally captivating. One can only imagine all the pain & suffering endured. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2008 by DreamMaker
A Brief Review of Beloved
I read the novel Beloved first and was extremely impressed by its complexity and unusual subject matter. Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2004 by Kate Amber Boswell
Disturbing.
Haunting, frightening, disturbing story of slavery in the USA, but so much more. Oprah Winfrey is excellent as the woman who escapes from slavery, but cannot escape her own past. Read more
Published on 14 Nov 2000 by stephen@thompsons24.fsnet.co.uk
One of the most unusual films I've seen.
When I first rented this film I was expecting something in the region of "The colour purple" However I was very wrong. This film I think is one that you hate or love. Read more
Published on 21 May 2000 by caree.allcan@ic24.net
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