Review of The Crucible (1996) by David A — 18 Apr 2010

(from The Watermark 12/26/96).

In this powerful and moving adaptation of Arthur Miller's famous play, Ryder is a young Puritan girl in Salem, Massachusetts. When she and a bunch of friends are suspected of being witches, they pretend that they are under the influence of the devil to make themselves look the innocents. They indeed are innocent - except for Ryder, who is no witch, but is madly in love with Day-Lewis, and would gladly see his wife (Allen) dead so he could be all hers. The implications which follow inspire fear and accusations of Satanic involvement all through the town.

A potential problem with the film is whether or not the material will be of any consequence to modern audiences. It was originally written as a dramatic response to McCarthyism and the Red Scare of the 1950's. But thanks to the across-the-board excellent performances and Miller's own deft screen adaptation, the film is a dramatic powerhouse with pertinent themes of truth, nature vs. society, and religious fanaticism. Ryder's work is her strongest to date, showing previously untapped strength and ferocity. The supporting cast is eclectic, yet just as excellent as the film's stars, including such odd choices as Jeffrey Jones (from Ferris Bueller and Beetlejuice), and George Gaynes (from Police Academy and Punky Brewster).

Director Nicholas Hytner finds many cinematic moments that make the movie much more than a filmed version of the play. However, as in his last film, The Madness of King George, Hytner seems to have the occasional problem with clarity in his storytelling. The film opens with Ryder and the girls dancing around a cauldron in the woods, wishing for the affections of certain boys. The film doesn't quite convey the innocence of the episode, and needs to better explain why certain witch-like elements were present. And (though scholars will call me a blasphemer for saying this), at times Miller's thickly written period dialogue makes some of the scenes a little unclear. But these shortcomings are minor at worst. Even though it is 43 years old and is making it to film for the first time, Miller's story is indeed worthy of its classic status. Surprisingly, there is a timelessness about The Crucible in spite of its dated inspiration.