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Hogfather
Directed by: Vadim Jean Starring: Marc Warren Genre: Comedy Run Time: 189 min. (2 Parts) Release Date: November 2007 On The Web: Official Site Teaser: Movie Trailer Reviewed by Byron Merritt |
Part of the difficulties with translating a book to film is losing much of what the author tries to convey. Books allow the writer to squeeze in much more character information and wit, while films must do so in (usually) under two hours. Thankfully this duology expands that time line a tad to a much needed three hours and nine minutes. I say much needed because author Terry Pratchett’s books deserve the full treatment in terms of time. But, unfortunately, even with this extended amount, the story suffers in translation. Although I must give credit to direct Vadim Jean (who also did the screenplay adaption and continues to adapt Mr. Pratchett’s excellent Discworld series), it’s tough to give a ravingly positive review to something that I enjoyed only marginally as much as the written works. I remember sitting in a restaurant on a meal break one day and having portions of a ham sandwich fly from my nose while reading Hogfather. Death (in the film voiced very well by Ian Richardson, BECOMING JANE) is a central character, and both the book and the movie keep it that way. But what is lost is the clever witticisms of the narrator (Pratchett) that often causes the reader to nearly choke with restrained laughter while trying to keep from puking or inhaling food particles. It was, however, pretty funny to see Death cloaked in Santa (i.e., Hogfather) garb while mushing a sleigh towed by heavily-tusked boars. Marc Warren (WANTED) as Mr. Teatime was a good choice, as he had just the right amount of ruthlessness (which was plenty) and naiveté (toward his fellow Discworld inhabitants) to make him a fearfully funny antagonist. However, from here things get off-track. Michelle Dockery plays Susan, the main protagonist, but is mostly lost amidst the larger story. Her part was vital in the novel, but here we simply don’t see that much of her in terms of character development. Beating up monsters under the bed? Funny, yes. Trying to protect her scythe-wielding relative? Okay, pretty funny. But what of the rest of her development? In truth, there isn’t any in the film. She simply rushes off to help save Hogswatch Eve without much knowledge as to why she’s so gung-ho to do it. The remaining characters are also given excessively abbreviated versions, which made the entire film much less laughable. Indeed, I think I only chuckled a few times during the entire three-plus hours, showing just how much was lost in translation. I will say, again, that I don’t blame writer/director Vadim Jean for this. Without a doubt, this is a tough sell. How can you make something so densely funny as one of Mr. Pratchett’s wonderful Discworld books into a guffaw-riddled flick? I think the simple answer is that you can’t. And I think this adaptation proves it. But I will give Mr. Jean credit for trying. He succeeded on a very small level but I fear those that haven’t read the novels might be less-than-impressed. Sorry guys.
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Image from Hogfather
DVD cost: $8.84 Purchase: Tower.com Film Review Stew Favorite? No. Stew Poo-Poo? No. Newsworthy: After filming, Hogfather author Terry Pratchett was stopped by customs at an airport in Australia. He had a large box of plastic teeth from the set, which distressed the officials. He explained the situation, and pointed out that they should probably be more concerned with the large box marked 'DEATH.' Movie Quote: "Human beings make life so interesting. Do you know, that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to invent boredom."
Other Actors/Actresses from Hogfather
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Images from Hogfather
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