Search - The Canterville Ghost on DVD

Kendra M. (KendraM) from NASHVILLE, TN
Reviewed on 1/25/2008...

The version with Charles Laughton is still unavailable on dvd and the Ian Richardson one is cost-prohibitive. So, after doing some searches on different versions of this movie, I decided on this particular version-- since Patrick Stewart is definitely one of my favorite actors.

He really doesn't disappoint here. He's excellent, as expected, and brings depth and empathy to the role of the Canterville Ghost.

However, everyone else in this production is more than bad. They are horrid.

Neve Campbell, in particular, can't act. She's a one-note actress and I'm surprised that nobody has told her to go take some acting lessons. She does this great tentative, unsure-of-herself, little girl smile thing, then she stops smiling (as if she's not sure a smile is appropriate), then she'll smile again-- just a bit. UGH! Talk about annoying. Maybe this was a good thing for that character she played on the tv show, but it's not good in feature films and it's not good if that's all you see her do. And, it is. I've seen her in a few other films, and she plays every single role the same way. Have you ever seen her break into a wide grin? Give a hearty laugh (a guffaw, even?)? No-- because she can't act. She can only shyly smile, stop smiling, give a hint of another smile, lick her lips tentatively, and repeat.

So, because she has so much on-screen camera time, I can't give this film too many stars. And, because there are other people who also can't act in this film, I can't rate the film too highly.

The little brothers were alright- not too cute, but cute enough. They didn't have big roles, however. The father was horrible! If not exactly a one-note actor, he's a two note actor, maybe. He wasn't given a great script, granted, but he delivered his lines fairly flatly. Yes, he was "angry" when he delivered the lines, but not with depth. And, at one point, he had to kneel and cry into his wife's body. Oh, he didn't pull that off well, at all.

The script was terrible. Yes, Sir Canterville's dialogue was perfectly fine. But the story line for the rest of the film was asinine. The kids can see the ghost. The parents can't and the dad thinks the daughter is making it all up so that they can leave England (she's just a sullen hormonal teen, I suppose). So, the kids are being haunted and the father is increasingly angry at the daughter, unfairly. Finally, the daughter has the 'ingenious' idea that will force her father to be able to see the ghost, too. This works, but also has some consequences. That's the story-- which would be okay, if they had some actors that could act.

That's what really bothered me about this movie. There are so many actors out there who need jobs and can act. Why use these actors? Why use the dad and Neve Campbell when there are tons of good quality actors who would love to do these roles? It's not as if actors are in short supply!

So, five out of five stars for Patrick Stewart, but many negative stars for the other actors and the script itself.

3 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.

Patrick Stewart makes a great ghost!

The Best | Utah, USA | 01/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is extremly well done. the scenery shots are magnificent. The story is a wonderful variation on several old ghost/haunting stories combined with a new twist. Great family film."

Wonderfully entertaining

Lisa Kleypas | Texas City, TX United States | 03/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Patrick Stewart's portrayal of the ghost was delightful and poignant and he wove into his role some Shakespeare which added depth. Neve Campbell was also exceptional as the young child who believed and shed her tears for the ghost's release."

Charming!

Leigh Ann Hussey | SF Bay Area, CA | 01/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Patrick Stewart does his usual stellar job of taking what could otherwise be an indifferent film, with really kindof a sappy script, and turning it into pure art. The breadth and depth of his talent amazes me ceaselessly, and in this vehicle he travels easily from the roar you could hear in the nosebleed seats at the back of the theatre, to moments of incredible intensity and intimacy. It's a sweet story, once you get past the almost inevitable Hallmark family interaction formulae; truth be told, I found myself moved nearly to tears more than once, and all because of Patrick Stewart's performance.See this movie if for no other reason; it's reason enough."