Plot: In 1930s Chicago, Frankenstein (Christian Bale) asks Dr. Euphronius (Annette Benning) to help create a companion. They give life to a murdered woman as the Bride (Jessie Buckley), sparking romance, police interest, and radical social change.
The Bride of Frankenstein …Not Quite …
I’ve read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, but before you watch The Bride of Frankenstein, keep in mind that this film is a 1935 sequel to the original, not another Shelley novel. Even though she never wrote a second novel, Mary Shelley appears in the film as a sort of narrator, speaking from the afterlife. The film is based on the famous novel, but it incorporates new ideas and portrays the characters played by Bale and Buckley in a very different light. You’ll see some unexpected and intense scenes here, but keep in mind that none of these events appeared in the original books, plays, or novels. The filmmakers made significant changes, which are difficult to overlook. There is a lot of crime and even intimacy between the Monster and the Bride, which I still find surprising, given that it never appeared in previous versions of these characters.
Reinventing Oneself
The Bride is referred to as Ida, and then she is asked for another name when she gives in to Frank and lets him into her life, and in her heart, she considers herself a “dead girl.” He gives her a new name, which she appears to like, and the two of them begin to get closer and more intimate with each other, which is clearly visible on screen, which completely surprised me because the Bride and the Monster were never sexually intimate in the novel. This was a very detailed key element in the film where erotica was introduced, and I believe it was included to be consistent with Frank’s desire for companionship, and the writers wanted to bring that new creation to life on screen to surprise audiences with something they never expected to see.
Forever
Do you believe this is a love story in which forcing love can occur if the brain is rewired and someone is instructed to think a certain way about you (the person seeking companionship)? In real life, we see a variety of couples experimenting with new and innovative ways to boost their sex drive, improve their overall relationship, and even remodel themselves to please their partner. Do you agree with each of these points? Some, perhaps? In conclusion, the film began very detailed, insane, and outrageous, but then started to deteriorate slightly. I wouldn’t say it’s not enjoyable to watch because it is—, but after an hour, that fire, passion, and excitement faded just as the Bride and Frank did… or did they?
I thought it was interesting. Jessie played an eccentric character as “The Bride”—but the Mary Shelley we could’ve done without …
Agree—there were too many inconsistencies with this storyline compared to the novel.
Where this review fails is the overreliance on the original novel. Maggie Gyllenhaal never intended the film to be the original novel. The Bride herself was only briefly mentioned in the novel as a mate for Frankenstein but was never brought to life. To keep referring back to the novel is an egregious error with this film’s review here. The director took a pre-existing idea and breathed some fresh originality into it. If we’re going to grade things, I’d have to give this review a C-.
Yeah, there were films were the Bride was brought to life. In the 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein, the Bride who was played by Elsa Lanchester is successfully brought to life by Henry Frankenstein and Dr. Pretorius.
Wow!!!!! Sounds really interesting. I was kind of blah about seeing this, but now I’m really anxious to. Thanks for the info, buddy.
Don’t be too overly anxious—it is good, but it was a little strange and sensual, and I do know how you are with the “sensual” stuff! Lol!
Saturday afternoon or Sunday afternoon streamer!
Yup – pretty much!
I loved this film and all of its weird, quirky twists and turns. Buckley’s performance was wonderful but I have to say that Bale’s acting left me wanting a bit more. The love story was interesting. While she was ‘reinvigorated’ to be his mate, she certainly didn’t have any love for him to start with. It was Frank’s kindness, protection, vulnerability that lead to love him.
Good concept—and I really was disappointed that this was not the huge success that everyone thought it to be—mainly for Christian Bale!