Basil (1998) Reviews

• Powerful Collins novel watered down; good but lacklustre

  hlogan22002-10-25

  WARNING: there could be SPOILERS ahead: it's difficult to make my comments without perhaps giving something away. But I'll try not to! This is a reasonably interesting film that unfortunately suffers from deviating too wildly from the original plot by the Victorian writer, Wilkie Collins. To modern audiences this film may seem slow or without much point; a shame, since the Collins novel it is based on is extremely exciting (Collins was an unorthodox writer, considered very shocking by many people of his day - far more explicit re. violence and sex than say, Dickens). Jared Leto stars as a young and naive aristocrat ('Basil')who suffers from having his friendships and imagination restrained by an overbearing and class-conscious father. He longs for excitement. When love arrives, he is overwhelmed, but learns that passion and duplicity bring suffering and dreadful consequences. Basil will learn that the world and other people are seldom as innocent as they seem. Basil is placed in situations where, as the film's jacket says, he has literally 'everything to lose'. Claire Forlani plays the woman with whom Basil falls in love. Forlani is a fine actress, but unfortunately isn't given much to do here. The luminosity, vivaciousness, and little-girl behaviour (which makes Basil love her) that her character has in Collins's book, just isn't there. The remarkable way in which Basil meets her in the novel is completely missing. Christian Slater also appears as Mannion, whom Basil befriends, but again the film script has entirely altered how he and Basil meet, and changes many dynamics of their relationship: he becomes Basil's friend, rather than an enigma Basil is intrigued with; not exactly Collins's intention. The wonderful Derek Jacobi also appears, but again isn't given much great material to work with. He remains a very important character but his behaviour and personality also differ from in Collins's 'Basil'; some important details are completely changed. Basil's relationship with 'sister' Clara also changes. Watchers could still enjoy this quite thoroughly if they don't previously know the book. Those, however, who know the book, will probably be disappointed. Modern films generally tend to try to intensify the plots of classic novels when they adapt them; this film instead dampens Collins's plot. The Collins book is considerably more intense: he was one of the best plotters in Victorian fiction, and great at character psychology. Clearly the intent here was not a faithful adaptation, but I see little reason why the director and screenwriter here didn't keep his major plot points. Those who like this film should perhaps read the book: they will then know a far better version of the story, especially a far more powerful version of Mannion (I thought Slater miscast, or his role basically wrecked). Basil is meant to be naive and honest, but too often in this film we see him doing or saying things that don't make sense or go too far (again, deviations), yet Leto isn't as intense in his portrayal of Basil as I would like (Basil's mental instability is mostly missing); still, he is easy to like, and certainly remarkable-looking. He is the best among the cast; the others are not particularly engaging. The scriptwriting and editing, as other reviewers noted, are not so good, but the film looks beautiful and has good locations and period detail. A 6.5 out of 10.

• An English Soap Opera

  Scott-1661999-06-09

  "Basil" is a film that has all the ingredients of a classic soap opera. There's plenty of love deception, jealousy, a rich man who falls in love with a poor girl etc. But that's not one more and forgettable soap opera like the others. First of all, the film is based on a novel written by Wilkie Collins, one of the most important English writers of the 19o. century (a great friend of Charles Dickens) and that makes a great difference. On the other hand, this film has a nice direction and a fine cast, never sliding in hollow sentimentalism. Maybe the only negative point is that the plot is too predictable but even though you can still have a good time watching the film.

• Very enjoyable!

  spacey-81998-12-11

  I must admit, Jared was the hook, but it was the story that kept me interested. Not quite 'Dangerous Liaisons' or 'The Remains of the Day', but this film was very enjoyable. Jared Leto and Christian Slater both did fine jobs playing Brits and I would recommend this film to anyone.

• I give "Basil" an A+++++++++++++

  cocokat_892006-09-28

  I give the movie "Basil" a very high 10+. I love time period films and think "Basil" is a wonderful movie. Jared Leto was fantastic in this movie. I love all of his work on the big screen, but I have to say that His portrayal as Basil in my opinion is one of his finest performances. This movie is not boring. It has a wonderful cast, wonderful story line, and the events that unfold, to a good watcher, will unfold from the very beginning. Jared Leto, Christian Slater, and Clair Forlani are just magnificent in this film. It's very tastefully done, and the scenery is beautiful. Proper in it's time, but still society itself was not at all proper. Aristicratic life was very demanding, and to this day, still is. In the end, we are all the same no matter what class we are brought up in. I congratulate the performances in this movie, and I would love to see more movies like "Basil" on the big screen. I highly recommend "Basil" to anyone who loves period films. Thank you.

• Great

  LuvinRob1998-11-29

  I saw this movie today on Romance Classics channel and it was great! A wonderful chick flick with 2 sexy men, Jared Leto and Christian Slater. I love the twist on the movie and the ending. Go see it.