Director: Anna Shapiro
Starring: James Franco, Chris O’Dowd, Leighton Meester, Jim Norton, Jim Parrack
Running Time: 2 hours 30 mins
Release Date: In UK Cinemas from November 19th 2015
John Steinbeck‘s famous novel Of Mice and Men was first published 1937 and tells the emotional story of two kindred spirits, Lenny and George, as they move from place to place, working on ranches and finding their way during the 1920’s Great Depression in California, United States. Their story is one of great friendship and heartache as Lenny’s dependency on George takes it’s toll and his mental disability makes him a naive target for trouble.
The famous story is well known within the United Kingdom’s school syllabus as hundreds of GCSE students find themselves pouring of Steinbeck’s pages, emerging themselves in George and Lenny’s lives and questioning the themes of the great American dream. It’s also made it’s way to the big screen twice, first in 1939 from director Lewis Milestone and secondly, most notably, in 1992 from director Gary Sinise, staring the director himself and John Malkovich.
The latest adaption comes in the form of stage play, from director Anna Shapiro, who boasts previous work such as 2007 play AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY. Staring Hollywood heartthrob James Franco (PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, THIS IS THE END) and Irish funny man Chris O’Dowd (THE IT CROWD, BRIDESMAIDS), OF MICE AND MEN was filmed on stage in New York in the summer of 2014 and comes to UK cinema’s in a wholly euphoric screening thanks to NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE from November 19th 2015.
Chris O’Dowd is so astoundingly wonderful as the sweet and innocent Lenny that it’s near impossible not to feel ones heart swell at his mere presence within each scene. He has so profoundly connected with the character that it is difficult to imagine him in any of his previous work. He simply is Lenny and his performance is does such incredible justice to this famous character.
James Franco does a brilliant job at portraying the conflicting sides to George’s character; the frustrated, tense side that dreams of a simpler life without Lenny, and then the warm-hearted, soft side that obviously cares for him so deeply. Franco and O’Dowd together have a joyous chemistry that their journey feels wholly natural and it makes for an tense, emotional viewing experience.
The relationship between George and Lenny is such a famous, fiery love story that to see Franco and O’Dowd together is an exceedingly rewarding experience for those already in love with the story and an enlightening watch for those new to Steinbeck’s work. Using Steinbeck’s words faithfully throughout the play, Shapiro does an outstanding job in directing the two central actors. Their two and fro of that famous dream with the rabbits is so emotionally deep that it feels as comforting as it does devastating. Shapiro’s vision is obviously so clear and it works out with exquisite success.
There are some wonderful supporting performances from the rest of the small cast, including Jim Norton, TRUE BLOOD star Jim Parrack and GOSSIP GIRL actress Leighton Meester. Meester plays the part of Curly’s wife, opposite Alex Morf, and gives a particularly wonderful performance. The sorrow of her character is that she’s merely a child, lonely, confused and terribly restricted; branded as a tart for simply seeking somebody to talk too. Meester does a brilliant job of portraying her childlike immaturity, her naivety and her damn absentmindedness. What’s wonderful about Meester’s character is that, even if her character gets no sympathy, we’re able to feel it so deeply, despite the catastrophic consequences of her mere presence.
Set designer Todd Rosenthal creates a grim, blue, rusting ranch for the tragedy to play out and it’s wholly atmospheric, creating a tomb of proposed devastating; the looming promise of death creeping in from every detail. Accompanied by David Singer‘s underscore and haunting, echoing desert details from Rob Milburn and Micahel Bodeen, Shapiro has rounded up an outstanding team to create such an aesthetically captivating play.
The set design and music remains simplistic yet totally absorbing, allowing all the focus to reside within the classic narrative. It’s wonderfully easy to find yourself emerged in that time, that setting that it is a jolt to the system when the lights of that dark movie theater go up, and you release you’re not actually on that hot ranch with Lenny and George.
Franco and O’Dowd’s big names may peek your interest but it’s their impeccable talent and chemistry that keeps you reaching for the tissues, planted firmly in your seat. Shapiro is such a talented woman and it’s so rewarding to see her vision project so clearly through this cast and crew. Lovers of the book will find themselves reliving that same of devastation and new found fans have that privilege of feeling that first sting. Run, don’t walk, to some of the final showings across the UK and experience something special.
Verdict
