'Wicker Man' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Holly · 09-06-2006, 08:58 AM

Some movies are classics for a reason, and they're better left alone.

In 1973, “The Wicker Man” became a cult favorite, partially for its utter British-ness. Years before he became “The Equalizer” on television, Edward Woodward was cast brilliantly as a troubled lawman who got into much more than he bargain for, during the search for a missing girl.

Nicolas Cage inherits Woodward's earlier role in the new remake of the melodrama, and while we're talking about two distinctly different actors, it's also a measure of how much better “The Wicker Man” worked the first time. It's not really a story designed to be a “star” vehicle, which the presence of Cage automatically makes it.

His character follows a trail that eventually leads him to an isolated community, where the leader (Ellen Burstyn, in the part that first belonged to Christopher Lee) seems to have quite a powerful hold over the locals ... to the degree that nobody will help Cage in his search for the vanished youngster, who happens to be the daughter of a former girlfriend of his. Things get increasingly tougher, and potentially more dangerous, as the so-called “Sisters” of the village close ranks ever more tightly.

Neil LaBute, the talented writer-director behind such acclaimed independent features as “In the Company of Men” and “Your Friends and Neighbors,” is the filmmaker in charge here. Despite his knack for ever-intriguing casting -- which also involves Frances Conroy (“Six Feet Under”), Leelee Sobieski and Molly Parker in this case -- the mixed result here suggests LaBute is better off with his own stories. He tries to put contemporary flourishes on the original script, but the first “Wicker Man” is one of those tales that still seems modern enough, even three decades later. (Another example of that, in my view anyway: “The Thomas Crown Affair.”)

It allows Cage plenty of space for his trademark emoting, so if you're a fan of his, there is that. Otherwise, “The Wicker Man” generally falls into that ever-expanding remake bin labeled “unnecessary.”

(Rated PG-13)

seventies_sitcoms · 09-06-2006, 02:01 PM

I really like the original Wicker Man. I will probably watch the remake when my library gets the DVD.

livsforluv · 09-06-2006, 02:13 PM

It was ok. I'm not really a fan of Nicholas Cage so it was hard for me to get into it. He just looked confused the whole time.

09-06-2006, 08:58 AM	#1
Holly I LOVE SUNSETS :) Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: Albany NY Posts: 5,748	'Wicker Man' Some movies are classics for a reason, and they're better left alone. In 1973, “The Wicker Man” became a cult favorite, partially for its utter British-ness. Years before he became “The Equalizer” on television, Edward Woodward was cast brilliantly as a troubled lawman who got into much more than he bargain for, during the search for a missing girl. Nicolas Cage inherits Woodward's earlier role in the new remake of the melodrama, and while we're talking about two distinctly different actors, it's also a measure of how much better “The Wicker Man” worked the first time. It's not really a story designed to be a “star” vehicle, which the presence of Cage automatically makes it. His character follows a trail that eventually leads him to an isolated community, where the leader (Ellen Burstyn, in the part that first belonged to Christopher Lee) seems to have quite a powerful hold over the locals ... to the degree that nobody will help Cage in his search for the vanished youngster, who happens to be the daughter of a former girlfriend of his. Things get increasingly tougher, and potentially more dangerous, as the so-called “Sisters” of the village close ranks ever more tightly. Neil LaBute, the talented writer-director behind such acclaimed independent features as “In the Company of Men” and “Your Friends and Neighbors,” is the filmmaker in charge here. Despite his knack for ever-intriguing casting -- which also involves Frances Conroy (“Six Feet Under”), Leelee Sobieski and Molly Parker in this case -- the mixed result here suggests LaBute is better off with his own stories. He tries to put contemporary flourishes on the original script, but the first “Wicker Man” is one of those tales that still seems modern enough, even three decades later. (Another example of that, in my view anyway: “The Thomas Crown Affair.”) It allows Cage plenty of space for his trademark emoting, so if you're a fan of his, there is that. Otherwise, “The Wicker Man” generally falls into that ever-expanding remake bin labeled “unnecessary.” (Rated PG-13)

09-06-2006, 02:01 PM	#2
seventies_sitcoms * Senior Member Join Date: Jan 09, 2005 Posts: 2,244	I really like the original Wicker Man. I will probably watch the remake when my library gets the DVD.

09-06-2006, 02:13 PM	#3
livsforluv Banned Banned!! Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 06, 2006 Posts: 339	It was ok. I'm not really a fan of Nicholas Cage so it was hard for me to get into it. He just looked confused the whole time.