Yeah, it's garbage.
Wuthering Heights is a story about two lovers whose obsession and yearning for each other destroys themselves and everyone around them. It is an examination of a dark, twisted love that can only be consummated in the afterlife. MTV has taken this timeless, haunting novel and turned it into a cheap teenage soap opera.
Updated plot: Cate and foundling Heath are raised together, but when their father dies Cate's brother Hendrix kicks Heath out. The lovers are as close as ever, but Cate ends up marrying their wealthy neighbor Edward. Angry, Heath shacks up with Edward's sister Isabel, who makes him a big rock star overnight. Now wealthy, he returns to Cate and they have an affair. Tragedy ensues.
The characters are totally butchered. Heathcliff is a monster in many respects, yet his love for Catherine and affection for Hareton humanize him. Heath is a whiny pretty boy with the depth of a soda can. Catherine is wild and passionate, yet she so aspires to be part of the genteel and civilized world represented by Edgar Linton that she is willing to abandon her true love. Cate's a wishy-washy mannequin completely lacking in fire and selfishness. Edgar is a gentle but bland man who loves Catherine honestly and strains to put up with her antics when Heathcliff returns. Edward's a possessive peeping tom that threatens Catherine's life. Isabella is a spoiled and demure rich girl who wants to escape the overbearing protection of her brother by marrying Heathcliff, foolishly believing him to be a romantic hero who needs the love of a good woman to be reformed. Isabel is a catty and crass Barbie doll who wants to bed Heathcliff rather than make him love her.
The relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff is ruined too. In the book, they were both jealous and obsessive with their love. Here, Heath comes across as an abusive jerk and Cate his frightened victim.
There are several songs in the movie: outside of "I Will Crumble", they're all lame. Expect lots of partying and sex scenes. And make sure you don't groan at Heathcliff's cheesy post-sex dialogue.
I don't care too much when adaptations change things. Catherine and Heathcliff having sex in the 1970 and 2009 versions does not bug me despite the fact that the relationship in the book is more spiritual than physical. Cutting off the second generation, while annoying, is not terribly criminal in my eyes as long as the adaptation holds up well and receives closure. But this strays so far from the spirit and intelligence of the original book that it comes across as an insult. Give me my English teacher's Wuthering Heights any day over this tripe.
Wuthering Heights is a story about two lovers whose obsession and yearning for each other destroys themselves and everyone around them. It is an examination of a dark, twisted love that can only be consummated in the afterlife. MTV has taken this timeless, haunting novel and turned it into a cheap teenage soap opera.
Updated plot: Cate and foundling Heath are raised together, but when their father dies Cate's brother Hendrix kicks Heath out. The lovers are as close as ever, but Cate ends up marrying their wealthy neighbor Edward. Angry, Heath shacks up with Edward's sister Isabel, who makes him a big rock star overnight. Now wealthy, he returns to Cate and they have an affair. Tragedy ensues.
The characters are totally butchered. Heathcliff is a monster in many respects, yet his love for Catherine and affection for Hareton humanize him. Heath is a whiny pretty boy with the depth of a soda can. Catherine is wild and passionate, yet she so aspires to be part of the genteel and civilized world represented by Edgar Linton that she is willing to abandon her true love. Cate's a wishy-washy mannequin completely lacking in fire and selfishness. Edgar is a gentle but bland man who loves Catherine honestly and strains to put up with her antics when Heathcliff returns. Edward's a possessive peeping tom that threatens Catherine's life. Isabella is a spoiled and demure rich girl who wants to escape the overbearing protection of her brother by marrying Heathcliff, foolishly believing him to be a romantic hero who needs the love of a good woman to be reformed. Isabel is a catty and crass Barbie doll who wants to bed Heathcliff rather than make him love her.
The relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff is ruined too. In the book, they were both jealous and obsessive with their love. Here, Heath comes across as an abusive jerk and Cate his frightened victim.
There are several songs in the movie: outside of "I Will Crumble", they're all lame. Expect lots of partying and sex scenes. And make sure you don't groan at Heathcliff's cheesy post-sex dialogue.
I don't care too much when adaptations change things. Catherine and Heathcliff having sex in the 1970 and 2009 versions does not bug me despite the fact that the relationship in the book is more spiritual than physical. Cutting off the second generation, while annoying, is not terribly criminal in my eyes as long as the adaptation holds up well and receives closure. But this strays so far from the spirit and intelligence of the original book that it comes across as an insult. Give me my English teacher's Wuthering Heights any day over this tripe.