Review of Inkheart (2008) by Artistew A — 08 Jul 2010

Inkheart (2008).

Written by David Lindsay-Abaire.

Directed by Iain Softley.

Starring: Brendan Fraser (Mo Silvertongue Folchart) and Eliza Bennett (Meggie Folchart).

"Inkheart" shocked the hell out of me. I picked it up expecting a Fraser, guilty-pleasure, cheese-mobile, and, while I certainly wasn't disappointed in that respect, I was pleasantly surprised by the freshness of the plot and the care that went into crafting the film. Fraser played the same self-sacrificing father figure/romantic interest that he always does, for which I both love and resent him (love because he's my dream man and resent because he sets an unrealistic standard living men can't compete with, le sigh), but of which I'm also a little bored. I was happy to see he finally chose a project that wasn't a total piece of crap. Don't get me wrong, I was just as embarrassed to rent it as "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" and "Journey to the Center of The Earth 3D," but at least I didn't have to shower to rid myself of the shame after this one. Based on a novel by Cornelia Funke, the screenplay was extremely well crafted by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. If his talent alone isn't enough to convince you, the actual tale of storybook characters coming to life also lends itself perfectly for translation to screen. Tonally it reminds me of "Stardust" on a small scale, attempting a similar palette of hyper-realistic colors with a gray coating and epic sets. The story is heartwarming, the adventure is captivating, and Brendan Fraser is, as always, a very charming prince.

Rating: Night of the Living Dead.

Best Quote: "Oh you are going to love him, and by love I mean cower in terror from." --Capricorn.