One of my favorite genres puts a famous author in a story that has all the hallmarks of their writing. Often, the film will suggest that's how they got their ideas. That's not the case with The Raven, which purports to show a fictionalized version of Edgar Alan Poe's last days. Instead, John Cusack's Poe is recruited by the police (Luke Evans) to help find and stop a serial killer who is using Poe's stories as templates for his depraved crimes. Don't go looking for a biopic or an adaptation of the famous title poem, this is meant to be a fun (if at times grisly) "Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes" detective story. At times, the editing fails the script and things don't join up as well as they should (a capital sin for a mystery story), but overall, I was entertained.
Not fun to see my favourite author being portrayed in such a mediocre film and his stories butchered to cheap pulp.
I will never watch this film again. Nevermore. Nevermore.
To recover from this film, I had to read a little bit of Poe. Here's a small segment of his short story called Eleonora, for your reading pleasure:
quote:
I AM come of a race noted for vigor of fancy and ardor of passion. Men have called me mad; but the question is not yet settled, whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence -- whether much that is glorious- whether all that is profound -- does not spring from disease of thought -- from moods of mind exalted at the expense of the general intellect. They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. In their gray visions they obtain glimpses of eternity, and thrill, in awakening, to find that they have been upon the verge of the great secret. In snatches, they learn something of the wisdom which is of good, and more of the mere knowledge which is of evil. They penetrate, however, rudderless or compassless into the vast ocean of the "light ineffable," and again, like the adventures of the Nubian geographer, "agressi sunt mare tenebrarum, quid in eo esset exploraturi."
Nice and neat, solid atmosphere, excellent photography and lighting, good performances from supporting actors (even Alice Eve is something more than your regular protagonist's femme). John Cusack is not bad as well, but he isn't Poe, not in the least. Enjoyable, really enjoyable.
Nice stuff. Good gothic atmosphere and Cusack is pretty much always a pleasure to watch, even if he's just a tad more pretty than Poe himself. He plays the part with just enough attitude. It's not earth shattering and it is a bit too dark at times but it does its job in being and enjoyable whodunnit with atmosphere.
If you read the biography of Edgar Allan Poe before you see this movie, it makes so much more sense!
But if you already know him and like his stories, watching this is not recommended at all! :D
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Comments 1 - 14 of 14
Emiam
7/10Exciting. I love the environment and the era.
Siskoid
One of my favorite genres puts a famous author in a story that has all the hallmarks of their writing. Often, the film will suggest that's how they got their ideas. That's not the case with The Raven, which purports to show a fictionalized version of Edgar Alan Poe's last days. Instead, John Cusack's Poe is recruited by the police (Luke Evans) to help find and stop a serial killer who is using Poe's stories as templates for his depraved crimes. Don't go looking for a biopic or an adaptation of the famous title poem, this is meant to be a fun (if at times grisly) "Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes" detective story. At times, the editing fails the script and things don't join up as well as they should (a capital sin for a mystery story), but overall, I was entertained.Earring72
Ok but not great thriller about a seial killer using the stories of Edgar Alle Poe as his guide. Looks great and cast is good.TheOnlyRogueAngel
Brilliant.! Just brilliant.! Highly recommended to Poe fans and those who like the dark murder mystery thriller genre of films..xwizex
The pet racoon !taylorannephotography
Take a shot every time someone does something dramatic!Avijeet
Could have been much better ......TheMajor
Not fun to see my favourite author being portrayed in such a mediocre film and his stories butchered to cheap pulp.I will never watch this film again. Nevermore. Nevermore.
To recover from this film, I had to read a little bit of Poe. Here's a small segment of his short story called Eleonora, for your reading pleasure:
Full story: http://www.online-literature.com/poe/29/
MentallyHysteric
Like a critic said "Saw meets Sherlock Holmes''. In a bad way. Far, far away from Poe's character. Too predictible and not memorable at all.Pickman
Nice and neat, solid atmosphere, excellent photography and lighting, good performances from supporting actors (even Alice Eve is something more than your regular protagonist's femme). John Cusack is not bad as well, but he isn't Poe, not in the least. Enjoyable, really enjoyable.prx
Boring and predictable.DerekFME
Nice stuff. Good gothic atmosphere and Cusack is pretty much always a pleasure to watch, even if he's just a tad more pretty than Poe himself. He plays the part with just enough attitude. It's not earth shattering and it is a bit too dark at times but it does its job in being and enjoyable whodunnit with atmosphere.meysam_a
If you read the biography of Edgar Allan Poe before you see this movie, it makes so much more sense!But if you already know him and like his stories, watching this is not recommended at all! :D
Skyscore
http://www.afisha.ru/movie/205457/review/420435/