Review of Rebecca (2020) by Shonnah — 21 Oct 2020

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!! A wonderful adaptation with perfectly cast archetypes of womens power, the men paled by comparison which was a welcome contrast between 1940 and 2020 direction as well as a spotlight on how well Du Maurier channeled timeless female strengths 80 years ago!

For me the garish yellow suits the alfa males cowardice; fear of living alone, of betrayal and of losing face. This actor was very close to the Maxim in my mind conjured from re-reading the book a 1000 times; handsome, commanding, hotheaded yet weak in character... a shell. We are not meant to fall in love with Maxim, he is an object of pity; a male in distress. It is the simpering, unnamed heroine who defeats her dragon, embraces her dead rival, rescues her man and lives on... The book strikes a chord with women and this film highlights and celebrates its girl power where Hitchcock tactfully placed artful, broody shadows, perhaps to keep the book within his social lens and time. Nothing can touch a Hitchcock masterpiece however this film, in many ways is more honest towards Du Mauriers cunning flip of stereotypes.

The locations, cinematography and costumes are superb.I think the critics are comparing the film to Hitchcock's vision not Du Maurier's book and for that very reason have missed the magic.