INKHEART
UK, 2008, 106 minutes, Colour.
Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Eliza Bennett, Sienna Guillory, Jamie Forman, Andy Serkis, Rafi Gavron, Jim Broadbent.
Directed by Iain Softley.
Another fantasy adventure based on a popular series of books, this time written by the German novelist, Cornelia Funke. The rather odd fantasy film, The Thief Lord, was also adapted from one of her books.
Inkheart does not have the epic scope of the very high concept series that we have become accustomed to. However, it is an imaginative adventure that should please those who want their fantasies to explore the confrontations between good and evil with a little magic.
The special feature of Inkheart is that it is a story about stories, about words and about the wonder of reading stories aloud. Books are treasures. However, some readers, we are told at the beginning, have the power to make the stories they read come alive. While this can be something wonderful, it can also lead to tragedies. When Mo, who is known in the fantasy world as Silvertongue, reads, his wife disappears into the story and a character named Dustfinger comes out, to wander the world in the hope of somebody reading the book so that he can go back home.
Mo (played by Brendan Fraser in his genial, smiling adventurer style) searches for years but keeping his powers (and hers) from his young daughter, Meggie (Eliza Bennett). The film takes up the story as Dustfinger (a fine and interesting performance from Paul Bettany) confronts Mo and Mo at last finds a copy of Inkheart.
What follows is an unusual blend of action in the present world (with cars, bookshops, highways in Italy) and the magical world of the book. The main trouble is that the villain of the book now rules the castle with black-clad henchman with guns and is determined that a special reader will read the chapters of the book on the monstrous Shadow which will destroy any opposition and he will have absolute power. He is played with sneering menace by Andy Serkis.
Also along for the adventure is the real-life author of the book, Fenoglio (Jim Broadbent) who wishes he actually lived in the fantasy land and great aunt Elinor (Helen Mirren in grande dame mode).
There are some good special effects especially in the finale and the menacing Shadow which lead to the happy conclusion of what is a fairly modest contemporary fairytale.
1.A fantasy, adaptation of a popular book, a film about books, words, reading? The title? Imagination?
2.The blend of the real and contemporary with fantasy? The effect? Moving from one world to the other?
3.The real world of home, Switzerland, the village, the shop, cars, Italy, Elinor’s house, Elassio and the author’s house? The roads and highways? Audiences identifying with the realism?
4.The fantasy world, the Red Riding Hood, Dustfinger and his world, the castle, Capricorn and his henchmen, the monsters, the kitchen? The musical score?
5.The introduction and the voice-over about readers, bringing stories alive? Mo and his being Silver Tongue? The story of Red Riding Hood, not wanting to read, not wanting Meggie to read? Dustfinger coming out of the story, his wife going into the story world? His search for the book, nine years?
6.Dustfinger and his talents of fire, seeing him in action, in the village, confronting Mo? The flashbacks to his wife beckoning him? His plea to Mo? Following him to the castle, in prison? Going to the author’s house, meeting up with Farid? The fights in the palace, the finale – and Mo releasing him? Going back home, reunited with his wife?
7.Elinor, the grand aunt, her house, her books, Mo mending books, the books as her treasures, the Persian manuscript? Her manner, brusque? The invasion by Capricorn’s henchmen, the destruction of the books? Being taken to the castle, the escape, her decision to go home again, not taking the train? On the bike, returning to the castle? Riding in on the charger for rescue?
8.The author, his living in Italy, thinking they had come for his autograph, listening to the explanations about his books coming alive, searching for a manuscript, finding it? Capricorn’s henchmen taking him? In prison with the group? His observations, his delight in seeing his characters alive? His desire to go into this world? The confrontation with Capricorn? The finale, his helping Meggie write the change in the story, her reading it aloud? Getting his wish to go into the fantasy world?
9.Farid, his story, his appearing, friendship with Meggie, discussions with Dustfinger and wanting to learn his skills? His clothes, getting ordinary clothes, climbing the walls and being able to enter into the castle? Helping Dustfinger setting fire to the castle? The end, not wanting to go back into his book, a world of slaves? Staying, his attraction to Meggie?
10.Mo, his personality, a loving father, his skills? His secrets? Meggie aged twelve, travelling to Switzerland, his search for the book, hearing the voices, discovering the manuscript? Going to see Elinor? The capture, in prison, his heroics, searching for his wife, Meggie and the dangers? Encouraging her in her reading? His promise to Dustfinger? The reconciliation with wife and family?
11.Resa, at home with Mo and Meggie, her disappearance? Her being a kitchen maid, mute, working, the animal getting the key, her being imprisoned in the ropes? The rescue? Her joy in seeing Meggie?
12.The ferret, the range of creatures, Toto coming in from The Wizard of Oz? Their menace, the creatures from literature? Their disappearance?
13.Capricorn as evil, his henchmen, the guns? His wanting power, wanting the Shadow to destroy his enemies? Invoking the Shadow? Finally destroyed by the Shadow?
14.The climax, Toto, Meggie and her reading, the Shadow self-destructing? Changing the story?
15.The emphasis on words, books and their power, literature and their classics, the books coming alive?
16.The resolution – and the happy ending of a contemporary fairy tale?
