This is the movie Guillermo del Toro was born to make. He first read Mary Shelley’s novel as a boy, and it has influenced everything he has done since then. Del Toro revealed that he only began working on a finished screenplay several years ago, but he has contemplated the meaning and significance of this timeless story for most of his life. The final product is a film crafted by a master storyteller.
When I initially saw the film at the Telluride Film Festival over Labor Day Weekend, I thought it was great but felt it was too long. Watching it again recently with my students at USC, I appreciated it even more, and the length was less bothersome, though a little trimming might help.
The following article was written by my friend and colleague Alonso Duralde.
By coincidence, I watched the 1964 movie Fail-Safe just a few weeks ago. It is remarkable how closely it resembles...
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Author’s summary: Guillermo del Toro’s long-held passion for Mary Shelley’s novel culminates in a masterfully crafted film, appreciated more deeply upon repeated viewings.