This is classic Robert Louis Stevenson material, which Frears tried to transform into a reflective film. There are great many lines in the film that make you think. The words of Mary Reilly in this 1996 movie `Where does this come from, this rage?' are strangely the lines echoed by director Terence Mallick on the commentary soundtrack of his mesmerising film `The Thin Red Line' made 3 years later. Mary Reilly is talking about the dark side of man, so is Mallick, only in his case the context is war.
The words of Mr Hyde to Mary Reilly: `Would you like to stay for awhile, or has my sense of smell betrayed me?' is an example of verbal sexual play in the film that makes the screenplay notable.
Or take this one: Asks Mary Reilly: He said you had an ailment. What sort of ailment is it?
Answers Dr Jekyll: You might call it a fraction of my soul. Something that left me with a taste for oblivion
The intentions of the director to make a great adaptation of the book is obvious, but somehow despite above-average performances, the film does not make you sit up beyond enjoying those wonderful lines and some good not-so-innocent camerawork such as the "opening shots" of the film with Roberts on her knees and the camera circling her, giving the audience an idea of the watcher and the watched.
The words of Mr Hyde to Mary Reilly: `Would you like to stay for awhile, or has my sense of smell betrayed me?' is an example of verbal sexual play in the film that makes the screenplay notable.
Or take this one: Asks Mary Reilly: He said you had an ailment. What sort of ailment is it?
Answers Dr Jekyll: You might call it a fraction of my soul. Something that left me with a taste for oblivion
The intentions of the director to make a great adaptation of the book is obvious, but somehow despite above-average performances, the film does not make you sit up beyond enjoying those wonderful lines and some good not-so-innocent camerawork such as the "opening shots" of the film with Roberts on her knees and the camera circling her, giving the audience an idea of the watcher and the watched.