Review of Beowulf & Grendel (2005) by Sandra S — 04 Jul 2008

A fairly disappointing film version of an important work of literature. As far as Beowulfs go, Butler was pretty great. It took a bit to get past the variety of unhidden accents (e.g., a Dane speaking with a Cockney accent),but in the end it was better than actors pretending too hard and then losing their accent half way through the movie (Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love, anyone?).

I don't know what Sarah Polley was doing in this film, but she was terribly terribly cast and her character's style was completely anachronistic (in reverse). Nice environmental atmosphere and great scenery.

But overall, a very disappointing adaptation.