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Film: The Bride
Year: 1985
Director: Franc Roddam
Writer: Lloyd Fonvielle
Starring: Sting, Jennifer Beals and Anthony Higgins
Review:
This was a film that I discovered when searching for variations, sequels or re-imaging of the ‘Frankenstein’ source material from Mary Shelley. I had seen this one once, but outside of knowing that it starred the singer Sting as Dr. Frankenstein, I didn’t remember much. This is one that I was intrigued to revisit as a Voyage through the FiVes.
Synopsis: after many years of research, Dr. Frankenstein finally succeeds in creating the prefect woman who gets the name Eva (Jennifer Beals)
We jump into this story during this experiment. Helping him is Dr. Zahlus (Quentin Crisp) and Paulus (Timothy Spall), who seems to be a hunchback. They’re trying to harness lightning during a storm to bring life to a creature that is strapped into a device. Awaiting their results is Dr. Frankenstein’s first creation, played by Clancy Brown. He is an ugly monster and he’s under the impression that this new experiment will be his companion. There are complications that cause their equipment to fail, but there seems to be life.
Under the wrappings is the woman that will be dubbed Eva. Dr. Frankenstein changes his mind and does not want his creature to have her. He then goes on a rampage and destroys the laboratory, causing it to explode.
The monster wanders the countryside, trying to find food and he encounters a dwarf who is being picked on by a group of children. His name is Rinaldo (David Rappaport). He is going to Budapest to join the circus so he can make money to go to Venice. He befriends the creature, giving him the name Viktor and they journey together.
Eva is kept with Frankenstein and she’s taught the ways of being a lady. He gets help from Mrs. Baumann (Geraldine Page). At first though, it is rough. Eva enters the room that the baron is in, completely naked and Mrs. Baumann scolds her. They teach Eva to read, write, culture and proper manners. This includes horseback riding as well. Frankenstein has a friend who is interested in what he’s doing, Clerval (Anthony Higgins). The story Frankenstein tells is that he found her after she was struck by lightning, causing her to completely lose her memory. Frankenstein’s goals are to develop Eva into a strong, independent woman to change how society views them.
This makes for an interesting dichotomy with our other duo, which makes it to a circus where they meet the owner, Magar (Alexi Sayle). He is not interested in hiring Rinaldo, as their acts are all the same and he doesn’t think it will go well. He is convinced to hire Viktor for his strength but they’re a packaged deal. Magar relents, under the agreement that they share a wage. This changes though when their act becomes a hit. This also upsets Magar and his partner.
Frankenstein also runs into an issue when he takes Eva to see a countess, played by Veruschka von Lehndorff and her husband, played by Guy Rolfe. Eva shows what he’s taught her, impressing those in attendance. She also catches the eye of Josef (Cary Elwes), a local military officer. This causes the baron to become jealous of this younger man.
That is where I’ll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. Now this is an interesting way to tell the story. We are picking up at about the final third of the novel when Dr. Frankenstein is convinced by his creation to make him a mate. There are elements removed here, which is fine. It is from here that this tells its own story that is different from the source. I did find that interesting with the elements that are explored here.
At the heart of this film, we’re getting a look at nurture here. Both Eva and Viktor were created by Frankenstein. We never see the master and his first creation interacting except at the beginning during the experiment of Eva, then again at the end. Viktor is all but abandoned. He makes friends with Rinaldo who teaches him how to survive in this world as a ‘freak’. I do not find little people to be this way, but in the world of the movie he is. He teaches Viktor compassion and is a positive influence. It is when something happens to him that he snaps and reverts to the angry version of himself he was at the beginning. Viktor is still young in his emotional development. He possesses great strength without understanding how to harness it.
On the other hand, Eva is brought up in society. There is a commentary here on beauty with it. Viktor is ugly where Eva isn’t. He is ignored by his creator because of it. What is then interesting with Eva is that Frankenstein wants to teach her to be a modern woman. He wants her to be versed in literature and the arts. He wants her to be able to hold her hold in intellectual conversations. That is until she starts to think for herself and chooses Josef. The concept of toxic masculinity is brought up early with the doctor’s friend, Clerval. The film makes you think that the baron is better in his thinking, but we see that when he’s rejected, he holds similar beliefs. Josef might not be any better either.
There are a few other things that also get explored here like capitalism. Rinaldo negotiates his contract with Magar. Viktor is simple in mind and he’s taken advantage of a couple times. Rinaldo is hurt due to money. Frankenstein wants Eva to be part of society with him. We’re also getting themes of the mad scientist. This to a lesser extent than most versions of this story. Frankenstein did still create both Eva and Viktor. They just don’t focus on the creation and more of their development. This isn’t as in your face, but the elements are there.
Since this is a character study, let’s delve into the acting performances. I’d say that Sting works as our mad scientist. He brings an arrogance to the role that works. I also like that originally; he is believable in how he wants to teach Eva. That is until he is rejected and the truth is revealed. Beals and Brown are good being each side of the coin for creations. One is beautiful and has every advantage. The other ugly and shunned. It is interesting how things play out there as they both develop in their circumstances. Higgins works to set up how we’re supposed to see Frankenstein as opposed to where he ends up. Rappaport is great in his role to help Viktor navigate the world. He also humanizes him. Page, Spall, Sayle, von Lehndorff, Rolfe and the rest of the cast were solid for what was needed. It was also fun to see young Elwes here. The acting was good across the board.
I’ll then finish out with filmmaking aspects. I thought that this was well-made. They capture the period piece elements well. It feels like it is a gothic romance which works. The cinematography and framing capture it well. There is also creepy early on with the experiments that Frankenstein is conducting. There are limited effects used here. I did like how they made Brown look like the monster. The rest were also done practical so credit there. I also thought that the soundtrack fits what was needed without necessarily standing out.
In conclusion, this is an interesting take on this classic story. By this time, it had been done a few ways. I like using the source material to set the stage and then telling your own story from there. It is interesting character study of the two different creations, one beautiful and the other not. We’re seeing how nurturing can also affect the growth of an individual. The acting is good across the board, being led by Beals, Brown and Sting. It was made well with the cinematography and framing being able to capture the time was set. The limited practical effects also work. Less on the horror with more focus on the drama and romance, so keep that in mind before seeing this. Still an interesting take if you’re a fan of the source material.
My Rating: 7 out of 10