Rebecca Movie Review

A Well Made Film But Could Have Been Better

This adaptation of Rebecca is all right based off of what I know of the story. Though it it hard to live up to Hitchcock.

I'm going to keep it simple and quote from IMDB for the synopsis, "After a whirlwind romance in Monte Carlo with handsome widower Maxim de Winter (Armie Hammer), a newly married young woman (Lily James) arrives at Manderley, her new husband's imposing family estate on a windswept English coast. Naive and inexperienced, she begins to settle into the trappings of her new life, but finds herself battling the shadow of Maxim's first wife, the elegant and urbane Rebecca, whose haunting legacy is kept alive by Manderley's sinister housekeeper Mrs. Danvers (Kristin Scott Thomas). Written by Netflix"

The cinematography and the color scheme are good. Lily James seems to fit her role well and so does Armie Hammer. However there is something that is a bit off. I can't exactly put my finger on it but this film feels like it is missing something.

Whoever was a part of the camera crew for this film did a splendid job. I really do think that the camera work was top notch. The colors really can pop in Rebecca. The colors fit each scene and it was a fantastic choice for the film.

Lily James seemed as though she was in her element for this film. Armie Hammer also does a great job. The chemistry between Lily James and Armie Hammer came off as natural. I would love to see the two of them work together again in the future.

I haven't seen the Hitchcock version of the film nor have I read the book. After seeing this version I'm more curious to see the Hitchcock version than I was before. I'll probably get around to reading the book at some point as well.

What is missing from the film I can't put my finger on. Unless there was studio interference, I place the blame on the director. Perhaps there is a feeling as if production was rushed, but I could be wrong. The pacing for the film is alright. I just don't know what it is, but I know there is something off in the film.

I love the gothic genre, but this film does not come off as gothic. I think if it was categorized as something else, then perhaps that would have swayed my rating. Now that I think of it, maybe that is it. Rebecca is missing it's gothic element.

I don't know if I would recommend seeing Rebecca. I honestly can't say. I'm not going to give it a clear negative rating because the production value doesn't deserve such a rating. However, I can't bring myself to give it a high rating either. If you want to watch to compare to the Hitchcock version or the book, then perhaps in that context I would recommend seeing Rebecca.

final score: 3/5