Search - Rhinoceros on DVD

A movie about the absurd

gac1003 | 07/27/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Stanley is a bored, alcoholic young man who feels disconnected from the rest of society. His best friend John is contstantly trying to help him to fit in and get over his feelings of awkwardness. One Sunday morning, while the two are at a restaurant, a rhinoceros rampages through the streets. Soon, Stanley notices more and more rhinoceroses and begins to realize that everyone in town is turning into them. Determined not to change, he confronts John with the problem only to watch his transformation in a rhino. As the rest of the world changes, including Daisy, the woman of his dreams, Stanley desparately tries to transform, but realizes that he can't and that he won't.This is a good adaptation of the absurdist play by Eugene Ionesco and changes the setting from a small French town to a big US city. Wonderful performances by Gene Wilder as Stanley and Karen Black as Daisy; and a standout performance from Zero Mostel as Stanley's friend John. Tom O'Horgan's direction is definitley unique, making it feel as though the viewer is watching a stage play. The only drawback is the bad '70s music that doesn't fit.The DVD has some great extras including an interview with Tom O'Horgan, an interview with Zero Mostel, information about Eugene Ionesco, and the original movie trailer, to name a few. The trailer gives an idea of how the studio marketed this film as a comedy, even though it views more along the lines of a drama or a very, very dark comedy.Having read the play in college, I enjoyed this adaptation. If you enjoy a movie that makes you think, then this is definitely the movie for you."

For those who love the quirky and marvelous

Original L. | Southern California | 06/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I guess I can understand how some folks don't like Ionesco or this play in particular. I have quirky taste. If you like Tim Dorsey or Elmore Leonard or Carl Hiassen, you might like this. I watched it by myself on television long about 1976 or so and almost died laughing. The film is strangely up to date and topical too, with a kind of virus sweeping New York (IIRC). It's a stagey piece, with the two main actors providing almost all the energy. New Yorkers, being New Yorkers, have varying responses to crises, which is part of the fun.And the virus itself is a barely disguised version of what really has gripped our nation since this play was written. Everyone should see it at least once.Well, maybe not everyone."

Misunderstood Classic!

Stephen Wilson-Floyd | Minneapolis, MN United States | 02/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first saw this adaptation in a college film class and have been trying to get a VHS or DVD since. Yes, it is supposed to be funny, but funny odd not funny ha-ha. Absurdist theater takes normal behaviors and exaggerates them so we see how weirdly we act and how distorted our values sometimes are. The character Zero Mostel plays is fastidious in his morals and attire, but even he changes. The character Gene Wilder plays resists to the end, but has to admit the sound of a rhinoceros is stranglely compelling. Are our civilized behaviors just neurotic expression or are we really superior to animals? Oh, by the way, I do find this movie ha-ha funny. But maybe it's a matter of taste."

A Gift

Peter H. Reynolds | Boston, MA USA | 11/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a rare treat. I waited a long time to see this once more. Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder are a fantastic duo. This tops "The Producers.""