Appropriations of successful texts often make critical changes to the original novel for a variation of intentions. These changes often reflect the cultural values of the time period and upon analysis the similarities and differences between the cultures are revealed. The film Mary Reilly (1996) is a recent appropriation of the 1886 classic novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Stephen Frears, director of Mary Reilly, has cinematically and creatively chosen to omit or carry on certain techniques, characters, plot points and themes from the original text in order to create a film that continues the legacy of Stevenson’s work yet remains engaging to its audience.
Although approximately one hundred years separates …show more content…
Jekyll and Mr Hyde due to its strong theme of sexuality between Mary Reilly and Mr Hyde and Dr. Jekyll. In the society of the original novel the tension and immorality of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde’s relationship and the mystery between them was enough to engage and attract audiences to the novel however the audience of the 1990’s needed something to increase the stakes of the mystery. The romance and sexual tension between Mary Reilly and Dr. Jekyll creates a bond which the audience does not want to see broken, particularly after Reilly shares her fears and the story of her father. Mr Hyde however brings lust and his own sexual perversion to the film with his obsession with Mary Reilly and his crude depictions throughout Dr. Jekyll’s medical books increases the repulsion viewers and characters have of him. This sexualization of the relationships with Reilly leads to increased tension throughout the climax and a bittersweet feeling when the final actions of Dr. Jekyll are revealed. The development of this technique links back to the development of women. In 1886 it would have been socially and artistically unacceptable to create a strong lustful relationship between the characters. In the film relationships such are more common and socially …show more content…
The question can then be asked: Why was the adaptation of the hugely successful Robert Louis Stevenson novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde failed dismally to receive the same accolades. Critics such as Michal Dequina of the Movie Report criticized Julia Roberts’ (Mary Reilly) “blank and mouth agape” acting whilst Stanley Kauffmann of the New York Times simple stated “the story lacks purpose”. It can be inferred from reactions such as these that the film was never going to universally appeal to everyone due to the physical representations of the characters and the omitted technique, style and finesse that Stevenson wrote with. The plot changes, added techniques and themes did not attract the audience and can leave one asking: why do we create adaptations of successful material? Do our advances in technology determine that we can create better, unique copies of stories? Or are we simply trying to get stories rejuvenated for modern audiences yet going about it the wrong
Although approximately one hundred years separates …show more content…
Jekyll and Mr Hyde due to its strong theme of sexuality between Mary Reilly and Mr Hyde and Dr. Jekyll. In the society of the original novel the tension and immorality of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde’s relationship and the mystery between them was enough to engage and attract audiences to the novel however the audience of the 1990’s needed something to increase the stakes of the mystery. The romance and sexual tension between Mary Reilly and Dr. Jekyll creates a bond which the audience does not want to see broken, particularly after Reilly shares her fears and the story of her father. Mr Hyde however brings lust and his own sexual perversion to the film with his obsession with Mary Reilly and his crude depictions throughout Dr. Jekyll’s medical books increases the repulsion viewers and characters have of him. This sexualization of the relationships with Reilly leads to increased tension throughout the climax and a bittersweet feeling when the final actions of Dr. Jekyll are revealed. The development of this technique links back to the development of women. In 1886 it would have been socially and artistically unacceptable to create a strong lustful relationship between the characters. In the film relationships such are more common and socially …show more content…
The question can then be asked: Why was the adaptation of the hugely successful Robert Louis Stevenson novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde failed dismally to receive the same accolades. Critics such as Michal Dequina of the Movie Report criticized Julia Roberts’ (Mary Reilly) “blank and mouth agape” acting whilst Stanley Kauffmann of the New York Times simple stated “the story lacks purpose”. It can be inferred from reactions such as these that the film was never going to universally appeal to everyone due to the physical representations of the characters and the omitted technique, style and finesse that Stevenson wrote with. The plot changes, added techniques and themes did not attract the audience and can leave one asking: why do we create adaptations of successful material? Do our advances in technology determine that we can create better, unique copies of stories? Or are we simply trying to get stories rejuvenated for modern audiences yet going about it the wrong