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The Scarlet Letter Customer Reviews (16 - 18 of 31 Reviews)

Who knew Puritans could be so...cool
Fans of Joffe's "The Scarlet Letter" plead with people to disregard the book and take the movie on its own merits. This is absurd reasoning, as a remake of any sort invites comparisons by its very nature. It is particularly pointless in this case, because even if there had been no novel to compare it with, "The Scarlet Letter" would still have been an embarassing flop.

Although obstensibly set in a 17th century Puritan community, the movie makes no attempt whatsoever to establish time and place through characterization or action. Demi Moore's character is a free thinking, independant woman who befriends her pagan neighbors (who act like stereotypical hippies) and politely ignores the scorn of the town elders. In other words, she's a cool 90's chick. Gary Oldman is a strong yet sensitive type with a goatee, respectful to women and the local native tribes. He's a cool 90's dude. Granted there have been independant thinkers in every age, but this degree of anachronism makes about as much sense as a caveman invenitng a computer out of rocks and hides.

Since Demi and Gary are both free-thinkers in a repressive (i.e. uncool) society, you just know they're going to get together as soon as Demi's husband dies. When she ends up pregnant though, and her husband turns out to be alive, she just accepts the situation and moves on with self-assured smugness. Of course, her uncool neighbors can't accept this situation, but no matter how much they condemn her, it only makes Demi's resolve stronger. For his part, Gary longs to reveal himself as the father (sensitive guy that he is) but Demi insists that he remain quiet so she can nobly go endure the community's ire alone. Of course, you just know they'll end up together in the end.

Perhaps the worst thing about "The Scarlet Letter" is the numerous missed opportunities to inject emotionally mature drama. Demi's character is a born and raised Puritan, shouldn't she feel some guilt and shame over her situation? Why is Gary, a man from a patriarchal society, submissively letting Demi tell him what to do? Does the Puritan community have any sense of structure and purpose besides condeming people? Unfortunately, none of these angles are explored. Instead we are supposed to focus solely on the juvenile, "this couple is too cool for their environment" plotline.

Yes there is a steamy sex-scene, but so what? Perhaps if they had steered the movie more in this direction, they could have made it a stimulating (but still silly) bit of erotica. Unfortunately "The Scarlet Letter" was intended to be drama, and with its sophmoric story and absurd characters, that is a pretense it simply can't live up to.

THE BEST MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN
HI all those people who are beating down so harshly on the scarlet letter I thought the movie was wonderful maby it didn't follow the story lineexactly from the book but if you look at the opening credits it says freely adapted .The wonderful acting that gary oldman and demi moore put into this movie I think that they bolth deserved oscars and I would be happy to hear some of the rvews from some of you dis beleivers who don't beleive in that kind of love.I have read the book several times and the way that gary oldman portrays himself in this movie is soo close to the character in the book it was wonderfully matched I own the movie and I watch it alot I know every word .I am a huge fan of gary oldmans and ddemi mooresd and they rocked so I think all of you people who think it was a bad movie read the book again then watch the movie again and really look at it I am sure that you will see more of my meaning.,I mean come on if those steamy love scenes hadent been put in there do you think people would have figured out who the father was if they had started at the prison door the director is just provideing and introduction like the book does.so thats why I give this movie very large shineing 5 stars and I say to anyone who hasent seen it and likes good loves stories from the heart go see this one or rent it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nothing like the novel, but stands out on its own.
I recently rented this movie from Blockbuster, and I must say that I was surprised. I had head from many of my fellow classmates that this movie followed hardly anything that had to do with the original novel, but after finishing the film, I was amazed at how they script writer and director did to give this film a great storyline. I did enjoy this movie, and I dpon't mind saying that I did. Demi Moore's performance of Hester Prynne was truly spectatular, showing that the women back in Puritan times did not always conform to the rules. Performances by other actors as well as the townspeople deserve credit as well, and the stunning score, composed by John Barry, is truly haunting and wonderful. I wouldn't listen to a lot of what the critics had to say; this movie isn't a total loss. The messages that come from this movie will remain with me, and I hope with others, for the rest of my life. I only have one question: where's the DVD, Mr. Joffe?

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