Review of Wise Blood (1979) by Laura M — 07 Jun 2009

This is what was wrong with this film:

1. the music was horrible. When something silly happened banjos and what not would play. Yes this is set in the south. We get it, you're terribly unsophisticated and need laugh track worthy music to allude to something southern and humorous. This might have been the biggest problem of the film because it set an odd tone. This is an amazing story, that was not as funny as the film made it seem. But the film wasn't a comedy either. They should have accepted the bizarre aspects as something that should sit with you. Maybe you laugh later, but it makes everything else much creepier if you don't have this music to distract you and you can make your own decisions about how the plot makes you feel.

2. What time period was this based in? I believe it takes place in the 50s at the latest. The main characters were perfect for that timeless 20th century American garb (except for Enoch who looked like Fred from Scooby Doo) but all the extras and small parts, and even the city were unmistakeably 1979. I loved this book, and I wish that is was adapted in a more artful way.