Search - Bloom on DVD

Visualizing James Joyce's Stream of Consciousness Well

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 04/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"BLOOM is bound to polarize audiences into those who believe Joyce's great novel ULYSSES should never be tampered with and those who welcome revisiting the glories of the story of one day (June 16, 1904) in the lives of three main characters in the streets and surroundings of Dublin, Ireland. For this viewer this adaptation by Sean Walsh for the screen works on almost every level. Walsh was brave indeed to make the internal dialogues of these important and endlessly interesting characters visual, and how he succeeded will be, happily, up to the interpretation of the viewer.

Joyce's ULLYSSES intertwines the thoughts and strolls and inner thinking and perseverations of Molly Bloom (Angeline Ball) who opens the film with lusty thoughts of her well-endowed lover while lolling in bed with her husband Leopold Bloom (Stephen Rea) who is fixated on specific parts of the female anatomy and who holds in abeyance his grief for his dead son. The other character of focus is Stephen Dedalus (Hugh O'Conor) whose general awakening to the world is both exhilarating and isolatedly toxic. There is no real story here, simply the meanderings and happenstance crossing of paths of these three indelible people. If at times the musings and fantasies of Leopold Bloom seem on the verge of outrageous (especially the scenes of his thoughts about domination/submission complete with oddly costumed characters), if the views of the 'snot-green' sea seem repetitive, if Molly Bloom's sexual antics border on absurd, then just return to ULYSSES and the seeds are all there.

For many, James Joyce is an acquired taste and the random nature of this filmed version of his writing will be off-putting. But for those who still relish the thoughts of the initial struggles and eventual rewards of reading ULYSSES, this film will satisfy. Kudos to Sean Walsh and to his committed cast of Stephen Rea, Angeline Ball and Hugh O'Conor for making it happen. Grady Harp, April 05"

The Holy Novel.

Bernard Chapin | CHICAGO! USA | 01/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A must see even though I am not sure that my five star rating is a true reflection of this particular film. The fact that it is based on Ulysses means that I could not possibly give it less than a perfect score. There is no greater novel in history, in my own personal view.

The director's choice of beginning with Molly was an interesting and creative decision and I think it paid off.
The beauty of the sets and background is endearing and this production absolutely has the feel of Ireland in 1904. Other than the tower that Stephan lived in, all of the locations were believable, and the only reason that I say that the tower was not is because I visited the real one in 1991. I think the choice of actors and actresses was satisfactory even though I regard a better Bloom being cast for an episode of a late eighties Bravo "Left Bank" show.

Honestly though, anything that drums up interest in one of the greatest works of art ever written is worthwhile. I hope people rent or buy this movie and follow it up by reading the book."

Best of Joyce on Film to Date

Coyner Thomas Lee | Seoul, Korea | 01/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are unfamiliar with - or intimidated by - arguably the finest English language novel of the 20th century, this film is for you. Like those from many Irish households that have unread copies of "Ulysses" on the shelves, I was both fascinated and reluctant to take on this novel. That all changed once I got my hands on this DVD. After a couple of viewings of this very beautiful and intelligent film, I launched myself on to an incredibly rewarding adventure of reading the book itself.

Scholars can quivel over the minor points but from my reading the novel, the movie stays very close to the book while masterfully dealing with a number of concurrent plots. The devotion of the director, the actors and other participants in the making of this film mirror that of "Lord of the Ring" trilogy but on an obviously smaller scale. Often projects done out of love justify avoiding such films at all costs but this time the passion succeeds.

This movie brings "Ulysses" out of the ivory tower and out on to the streets of Dublin town where it belongs."

Amazing adaptation of Joyce's ULYSSES--teachers must have!

Heather Elizabeth Erwin | Annapolis, MD | 05/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone who still includes James Joyce's ULYSSES among the books they teach should have this DVD. Not only is it amazingly helpful to see the work portrayed so that you understand the way scenes are a mix of memory, reflection, and real-time interchange among characters, but the extras on the DVD, such as the 'scenes' labeled according to their corresponding segments, such as CIRCE, ITHACA, etc., offer a fabulous study aid.

And for those who, as Sean Walsh describes in his explanation of why he created this work, have always wanted to read the novel but never quite made it past page 10, it gives a grounding in the outline of the work that allows a reader to return for another try that not only makes the reading easier, but also increases the ability to relax and just enjoy the beauty of the language!"