You would think being from the 90's-long after the modern gay rights movement started and even racked up some victories-that this film would be the more timeless and more respectable film compared to the earlier French/Italian original. But a las no.
I am not sure if it is because I have better feel for the actors' other work or the script beefing up the political barbs and context (gay marriage gets an implication, twice) but this film treats its gay characters far more as objects of derision than the 1978 version. I feel like you we should be laugh at the characters more than laughing with. It is also distressing that the son character is more uncaring jerk in this versions.
The performances and the basic story are still engaging-the film entertains. But I vastly prefer to smaller scale, more intimate shooting style, and the more restrained production values of the original. This feels very Hollywood and overproduced.
I am not sure if it is because I have better feel for the actors' other work or the script beefing up the political barbs and context (gay marriage gets an implication, twice) but this film treats its gay characters far more as objects of derision than the 1978 version. I feel like you we should be laugh at the characters more than laughing with. It is also distressing that the son character is more uncaring jerk in this versions.
The performances and the basic story are still engaging-the film entertains. But I vastly prefer to smaller scale, more intimate shooting style, and the more restrained production values of the original. This feels very Hollywood and overproduced.