Film Review: The Shipping News (2001)

Adapting a grand novel into a successful film is a challenging feat, as good novels often struggle to translate effectively onto the screen, leaving readers disappointed. The author of this review made the mistake of watching The Shipping News," a 2001 film directed by Lasse Halström, after reading its literay source – 1993 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by E. Annie Proulx.

The protagonist, played by Kevin Spacey, is Quoyle, ink setter from upstate New York whose ordinary and uneventful life suddenly get shattered with series of personal tragedies. His parents die in double suicide while adulterous wife Petal (played by Cate Blanchett) dies in car accident while attempting to sell their six-year old daughter Bunny to adoption agency. His aunt Agnis Hamm (played by Judi Dench), who came to help, talks him into moving with her to small fishing town in Newfoundland, their ancestral home. Quoyle gets a job of reporter in local newspaper and meets number of eccentric character, including Wavey Prowse (played by Julianne Moore), widow with whom he would start a relationship. But he also discovers some unpleasant truth about his family’s past.

Produced by Miramax, known for its Oscar-winning projects, The Shipping News embodies the quintessential Oscar-bait film. Drawing from a prestigious literary source, the film delves into themes of lesbianism, toxic masculinity, and social criticism, set against a backdrop of quirky characters in a small-town setting. The ensemble cast, featuring character actors and renowned performers, adds depth to the narrative, with Judi Dench's commanding presence standing out among the cast.

Despite its stellar cast, The Shipping News falters in execution. Kevin Spacey seems underutilised in the role of ordinary man like Quoyle, and completely lacks chemistry with Julianne Moore, while Cate Blanchett, despite her energetic performance, simply vanishes too early in the film to have proper impact. Director Lasse Hallström's uninspired direction strips away the novel's quirkiness, resulting in a Hollywoodised version that fails to capture the novel's darker tones and complexities.

The film's had lacklustre reception among critics and turned into box office bomb. Anyone who watches this film would probably conclude that such fate was deserved, and especially those who had read the original novel beforehand. E. Annie Proulx's satisfaction would come later with the success of Brokeback Mountain, a groundbreaking drama based on her story.

RATING: 3/10 (+)

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