Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

For this entry of “Halloween Month,” I believe I will look at another novel adaptation. Let’s see…how about “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events,” released in 2004? Now, I would just like to say that this is another series that I have never read, so please do not mind that I like this film. If I read this series, like I have with the Harry Potter series, I would have said that the books are better, which is always the case. I won’t doubt that, but I actually liked the surreal, creepy feel of the movie.

First off, for those who do not know the movie, here is the basic story: When their parents perish in a mysterious fire, the Baudelaire children – Violet (Emily Browning), Klaus (Liam Aiken), and baby Sunny (Kara and Shelby Hoffman) – are sent to live with their nearest relative, the sinister Count Olaf (“In Living Color” alumni who brought us an onslaught of memorable characters, including Fire Marshall Bill, Jim Carrey).

Caroline Westbrook stated in her review, “With no Harry Potter or Lord Of The Rings to bring fantastic seasonal cheer to multiplexes, the mantle of Big Christmas Film is this year passed to yet another adaptation of a kid-friendly book, namely the works of elusive author Lemony Snicket (actually San Franciscan scribe Daniel Handler).”

This depressing children’s book series by Daniel Handler has somehow sneakily gained a worldwide following with both children and adults, with 13 books on the shelves of every bookstore and library in the time it takes for J.K. Rowling to think up of another novel for the Harry Potter series. Brad Silberling’s work on this novel adaptation seems to surpass the early Potter movies (at the time when this was released), strengthened by a series of memorable performances and its atmospheric, Burtonesque visuals.

Silberling develops the tone early on, with a strangely intelligent opening sequence, and thanks to the following combination of sick comedy and nervous set-pieces, offers what you can enjoy afterwards. He’s also smart and well-organized enough to let the movie belong to its amazing children protagonists, rather than allowing it to become a runaway Jim Carrey vehicle. As the useless, murderous and terrible-disguise-wearing Olaf, his performance will neither let down his fans or his detractors – it’s promised to excite and annoy equally.

Westbrook stated in her review, “The film does suffer from a patchy, episodic script, though, which is a real shame given the florid style of the books. Scripter Robert Gordon shoehorns in the events of the first three novels, and it does make for an uneven tone.” The parts with Scottish comedian and musician Billy Connolly’s Uncle Monty, while an essential part of the series on the page, don’t really do much to further the plot. While one of the greatest actresses, Meryl Streep, is really good as the phobic Aunt Josephine you would wish that there was more of her. Other supporting actors – including Luiz Guzman and Jennifer Coolidge – are really underused you almost wondered why they were even in the movie at all. Other cast members include Catherine O’Hara, Dustin Hoffman, comedian Cedric the Entertainer, Timothy Spall, Craig Ferguson, and even the great British actor Jude Law as Lemony Snicket aka the Narrator.

Still, Westbrook is right in her review when she says, “Snicket-heads will naturally be thrilled to see their heroes recreated so deftly and vividly; the production design and costumes stay true to the spirit of the book and are impossible to fault. Those who have become accustomed to more epic Yuletide fare over the past few years may be harder to convince, but if you sit back, relax and just accept it for what it is - an enjoyable, escapist Gothic pantomime - you will go home happy.”

Final verdict is that Silberling does a good job introducing Snicket on the big screen for those who’ve never heard of him, in this impressive adaptation that’s always smart, even if it’s occasionally remarkable. Go see it if you have read the novels, but just be forewarned, this adaptation combined three of the books into one movie, so you might complain about the pacing of the movie, which I can understand.

Alright, stay tuned tomorrow for the next entry in “Halloween Month.”