Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Released 4th November 1994, “Mary Shelley’s” Frankenstein follows “Mary Shelley’s” Victor Frankenstein as he recounts his woeful life of science with Captain Robert Walton. Having read the original (fantastic) novel, I have my own thoughts entirely on how the film adapts the book, however, I have to write an entirely different review for that… This film confronts the development of science and where to draw the line and the subsequent desolation from humanity’s ego. At the centre of these conflicts is Victor Frankenstein, played by Kenneth Branagh.

We see Victor’s motivations very early on after the loss of a loved one as he works to create life. As seen in the book, the concept of Victor’s journey can translate itself to be extremely compelling; it is not at all in this film. The greatest problem with this film is its decision to be melodramatic in its direction of the performances and the lacking subtly of its themes. Everything the film tries to say is blatantly spewed to the audience in the most awkward, dramatic way conceivable. However, Helen Bonham Carter’s provides a subversive exception with something of a nuanced performance combined with dialogue that feels less wooden than the rest of the cast’s.

Continuing this hyperbolised quality, Patrick Doyle’s soundtrack completely sucks the dramatic tension from the scenes and results in laugh-out-loud melodrama. One consistent positive aspect which I can refer to is the production design and costuming; The Creature looks truly abominable throughout and with each setting maintaining strong atmosphere. Overall, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein would probably work better as a theatre performance with its melodrama and atmosphere. As it is this is a stain on Branagh’s attempts through the 1990s to bring British classics to the big screen.