The Handmaiden

[lucydogz]

I loved Fingersmith, so was really looking forward to this. The first half was good, but then it descended into a horribly violent, sexed up notch pitch. Shame

Was it worth seeing? I was thinking about it.

The film was made years ago, and is hardly a classic.

The TV series is supposed to be amazing.

Bitoffun - you're thinking of The Handmaiden's Tale, I'm talking about The Handmaiden, a film version of Fingersmith.
Freeniki - the more I think about it, the more it's irritated me. It's really placed fast and loose with the source,. The director has shoehorned in disgusting torture scenes and given it a shit ending as well.

Hmm, that's disappointing

it's a korean film isn't it? their films always seem so violent so it put me off

Well, I want to disagree with your verdict, Lucydogz. I've just seen it, and I actually thought it was a good film. It was never intended to be a straight adaptation of Fingersmith, although as you say, there are a lot of parallels, and the device of the two narratives is used in both. I did loathe the torture scenes and wish they hadn't been in it, and the portrayal of horrible abuse of the child, which is only hinted at in the novel, is obviously very upsetting to watch. But I enjoyed the way the two women finally outwitted the men, and I loved the scene where Soo Kee starts destroying the precious library.

The cinematography was beautiful, the sets, costumes, music. Fingersmith is one of my favourite novels, and I thought this was imaginative and respectful.

I hear what you say about it, and I think it would have been impossible to do faithfully, but one of the best bits about the book was section 3, where the two protagonists only reconcile at the end. I thought the denouement was just silly in the film. And the end on the boat a cliche. I'm not a prude, but the full on sex scenes were just gratuitous as well.

Really loved this film - well worth seeing.

Yes, I was thinking about the sex scenes, wondering if there is ever a good reason to show people having sex on screen (or stage)? And do women together make me feel more uncomfortable, in a cinema, than if it were a woman and a man, because of all the porn tropes? Certainly a disturbing film in many ways.

I don't feel there was a good reason for THAT much explicit sex, and thought it was exploitive.

I know what you mean.

I thought the film was brilliant but it did feel a bit exploitative in the nudity and sex scenes.

At the same time, it made a mockery of the men who were so used to controlling the women.

Perplexing and disturbing, yes.

And I'm really intrigued to know what Sarah Waters thinks of the adaptation.

I heard that Sarah Waters was happy with it. Good to hear other views on it!