Of Mice And Men - Lewis Milestone
Of course, this story is great: it’s Steinbeck. That might be why we do an adaptation every few years.
This is the 1939 version. I only watched it because it was nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture.
For those unfamiliar with the story: it follows two men George and Lenny during the great depression. The story is coloured by the depression but it isn’t about it per se.
They always are in want of work and the need for it influences the power structures and attitudes of those in the story.
The film follows the book fairly closely and it is a great book to adapt as it is very visual. The story follows George and Lenny as they start a new job.
There is trouble brewing from the moment they arrive. George can see that this is going to be bad because of Lenny.
Lenny is slow. He has a childlike mind coupled with the strength of two men.
George is hard-pressed to keep him in check at the best of times but when trouble is coming there is not much anyone can do.
This film rests on the performances of the two leads. Lenny is very full but the character is a tough one to portray well.
George is hard but for different reasons. He is a complex character but is nuanced and quiet compared to his friend.
The performances of both are good. Lenny is great, more ‘stupid’ than some adaptations I’ve seen but it is well done.
George and Lenny will forever be John Malkovich and Gary Sinise.
There isn’t much more to say. It’s a good adaptation, true to the source material. It just isn’t the best adaptation of this book that we have.
