mlgayler69 Review of The Woman in White

The Woman in White (2018)

satisfactory but plodding adaptation without the menace of the original

[5/10 · 6 May 2018]

As usual, costumes etc are generally good (though why do they so rarely get hair right?) but characters have been messed around to the point where most of them are indistinguishable. Why do modern adaptors think they know better than authors like Wilkie Collins when it comes to characterisation? Or do they just not care? Half the point of the book is that Laura really genuinely needs Marion as she is too gentle and retiring to cope, and Marion knows this, hence her desperation. But as usual these days, all female characters have to be assertive and managing so in this adaptation she seems perfectly capable of running her own affairs. All the book's emphasis on the iniquities of laws that put not only their money but the women themselves into the hands of the husband is therefore lost - this Laura lays down her expectations and opinions to Glyde and never seems remotely overawed or in his power. Fosco and Glyde are completely indistinguishable in character as well as appearance. Fosco in the book is a truly menacing character - highly intelligent, cunning, game-playing, a worthy opponent of Marion. Even his admiration of her sets our teeth on edge. His physical appearance with the very delicate habits and pet mice contrast really creepily with what we know he is really like. That's the whole point. But here we get bland villain no. 2. Glyde is completely wrong in every way, just a paler version of Fosco. Mr Fairlie and Marion are done well, though, which is what kept me watching.