CAST: ALDEN EHRENREICH, ALICE ENGLERT, JEREMY IRONS, EMMA THOMPSON, VIOLA DAVIS, EMMY ROSSUM, THOMAS MANN, ZOEY DEUTCH, EILEEN ATKINS, MARGO MARTINDALE
DIRECTOR: RICHARD LAGRAVENESE
SUMMARY: Gatlin, South Carolina – two kinds of people live in this place, those too stupid to stay and those too stuck to move out. Ethan Wate (Ehrenreich) knows this well. His late mother made sure he understood the truth about Gatlin. He has a plan: leave town and go to college. Things changed after he met the new girl in school, Lena Duchannes (Englert). Despite her apparent strangeness and satanist rumors, Ethan finds himself attracted to Lena. Little does he know, their bond has lasted a lifetime and a centuries-old curse is about to test their love.
- This is no Twilight. This is no Bella and Edward. This is BETTER than Twilight. Lena and Ethan is BETTER than Bella and Edward. I have not read the paranormance (paranormal + romance) book where the film is based upon but I sure enjoyed this better than Stephanie Meyer’s series. What sets the Beautiful Creatures couple apart from the emo bloodsuckers is PERSONALITY. Ethan is funnier and more sensible, plus he reads books – the Charles Bukowski kind. He frequents libraries and rocks Buddy Holly glasses which screams I’m-a-cute-literature-nerd. On the other hand, Lena does not bite her lips nor tuck her hair as often as she blinks, but more importantly, she exudes emotions. That she collects poems is also a big plus. So before people start to label Beautiful Creatures as the next Twilight just do us a favor and stop.
- Ehrenreich reminds me of Anton Yelchin – an up and coming actor deserving of a big break. He carried much of the film as Ethan doubled as narrator. Though not as good-looking (not the usual chisled and cheekboned dude) as most leading men, his charm made up for it. He shines in scenes where he dismisses the craziness of the resident school bitch and whenever he falls under the spell of his girlfriend’s magical relatives. Ehrenreich proves a teen actor does not need abs nor complicated coiffure to elicit screams from the female audience.
- Newcomer Englert provided a not-so-good and not-so-bad-either performance. Just enough not to irritate most people. There is not much she can do because of her character (surprisingly, the male character is far more intersting). Her moment to shine is in the scene where she came face-to-face with the villainous Sarafine (Thomposon). I thought she did not give her all. Quite a disappointment, for she easily drowned in all of Emma Thompson’s insane fabulousity. If YA female characters were grades, Lenna Duchannes is B- which is rather acceptable because Bella Swann is an F. (Katniss Everdeen and Hermione Granger are the A+ gold standard.)
- Scroll back. Check the cast. Breathe in. Breathe out. SERIOUSLY: Irons, Thompson, Davis, Atkins and Martindale. The supporting cast has a bountiful collection of acting trophies in their homes. Props to the casting director for assembling a terrific collection of actors. Irons is ALWAYS worth the admission – I can listen to his hot baritone 24/7. But it is Davis as the Gatlin seer, who made quite an impact. The incredible actress delivers once again her trademark dignified and resolute performance. Oh. I just love her accessories. (I did checked out a couple of accessories stores after seeing the film. Hoping to recreate her look.)
- Beautiful Creatures is a watchable film adaptation of the popular book series. Though the special effects are a disappointment (the lightning stuff looks so cheap), the performance of the lead actors made it more engaging. There is nothing special with the plot for it is standard paranormace at best but the acting is earnest. Benefiting from a host of seasoned thespians, the film is sure to pass the taste of paranormance afficionados.
RATING: B-
