Review of Needful Things (1993) by Vince F — 12 Sep 2008

I love Stephen King novels. I usually read my favs of his at least once a year. Every start of a new fall, I read "Needful Things". It's a excellent read. Well developed characters, a wicked concept,vicious violence, funny (and very true) satire on consumerism, and one hell of endearing villain, ala Mr. Gaunt. I actually found myself loving this book even more after this read. Maybe because of my moody week, or my apathy towards people, but I loved the outcome of the all the peoples actions, they all get what's coming to them. I could see this happening for real. As a new shop opens up in the lame ass town of Castle Rock, the shopkeeper has something for everyone, a simple price, play a trick on someone, and get whats yours, Too bad all this does is cause a chain reaction of peoples hate towards others, and their easy human nature. Ahh, people are such sheep! and very greedy fools!

Now for this...adaption(I use that term loosley). What happened? Everything I loved about the book was left out, the kill count was low, and although Max Von Sydow is a credible actor, he was NO LEALAND GAUNT. So damn boring. I always pictured the more charismatic Willem Dafoe.

That's this movies problem It is so damn boring. With a lifeless approach by the director (who must have been 179 when filming), the movie just never takes off, and doesn't have that smug, go-to-hell demeanor so vital to the stories plight. It's too conservative, someone with a bigger set of balls should have been in the directors chair(like hmmm, me?).

The movie looks good, and the town did seem like Castle Rock. Too bad that the violence is toned down, the characters reduced to sheets of (very thin) paper. The structure of the movie so off, that I wasn't even sure how I was suppose to feel. Fire that editor now!!!

Even if I hadn't read the novel, I'm sure this movie would be a dud. It has an overlong pace with no pay offs. The music stood out like a sore on some losers mouth, and the ending! Oh god!

I've also seen the 3 hour long version a time ago, and I was sure the extra time would give me what I wanted but all the 3 hr version provides is a cure for insomnia.

If there's anything of interest in this stink bomb , it has an awesome and very rounded cast. I loved Polly and Alan, but the movie doesn't give them much to do. Amanda Plummer as Nettie was one aspect that translated well to the screen. Loved the fight between Wilma and Nettie. The death of the dog was also quite harsh. Seeing a 12 year old id attempting to shoot himself in the head was also quite brutal.

Do yourself a favor though and read the book, its pure entertainment with King effortlessly hooking you in, then use this DVD as a coaster, or toilet paper!