Two Men, One Mouse

A sweat bead drips down the collar of your shirt and you shudder as it traces down your spine, the sun bears down upon you like an unwanted filth. Your dearest companion trails behind you on your search to soothe the unemployment that lingers about you much like a fly to a carcass. The great depression was an utmost challenging time, dusty, baron trails, empty pockets and stomach churning from an incessant hunger. Sounds tantalizing doesn't it? The film "Of Mice and Men" does no justice to John Steinbeck's novella. Triple threat Gary Sinise whom, directed, produced and starred in this film came up short. The novel paints such a glorious and trying setting throughout each and every chapter. Where as the movie neglects essential sections such as character development and the microcosm that the novel depicts.

The film tracks two companions; George Milton (Gary Sinise) whom is a "quick witted" and Lennie Small (John Malkovich) whom just so happens to be mildly retarded as they skim California's Salinas Valley, in search for work. They stumble upon a ranch, in which they slave upon day in and day out to store enough cash in order to afford their dream ranch. Along their many turmoils they encounter titillating characters and emotion stirring events.

Of Mice and Men was anything but good, overall it was a poignant excuse of a film. It lacked many vital components of the novella. Character development of Curley's "tart" of a wife was surpassed and she was conceived to be the "girl next door" not the trouble causing vixen from the novella. Curley's wife had a fundamental role in the stating her authority of the microcosm that was portrayed throughout the novel, yet in the film she showed nothing more then loneliness and naivety. Director Gary Sinise, clearly traced every square inch of the book which requires no creativity or talent what so ever. The script was essentially straight from the pages of John Steinbeck's novella. The film also jumps from scene to scene with no time fillers in between, which leaves one feeling heckled and rather distraught.

Gary Sinise played the character of George Milton rather well, he's no grade A actor but his efforts were better then those of his frugal costars. John Malkovich whom depicted Lennie Small, was an utter disappointment. Lennie was said to be a brute like fellow, whom was slow but could follow orders well. Malkovich was much too lanky, to be the almightly man Steinbeck writes about. He came off as a 5 year old trapped in a giants body, not a man with mild retardation.

For those who have not had the pleasure of the novel, please don't be biased due to this film. I would strongly recommend the novella over the movie any day. You grasp a better sense of the setting and depict some truly glorious imagery with Steinbeck's wise words to guide you. The film itself was poorly executed and lacked severelly in captivating ones attention. Going to the dentist would be as thrilling as the 116 minutes of my life I will never get back. Thanks so much Sinise! The most thrilling part of the whole "Of Mice and Men" experience was getting my refund at the end and removing my plastered feet from the theatres floor.