Conference bookie::movies

322.0. "Needful thingS" by VMSDEV::HALLYB (Fish have no concept of fire) Thu Sep 09 1993 15:35

Based on the Stephen King book of the same name, Needful Things is a story of
King's fictional Maine town of Castle Rock.  A new merchant (Leland Gaunt,
played by Max von Sydow) has set up shop selling various curios.  The name of
the shop is Needful Things.  (Needful thingS on the awning outside).

In Gaunt's shop many people find -JUST- what they are looking for.  Ahh, but
Gaunt doesn't want money.  Gaunt wants people to peform various "services"
for him.  These services are really pranks on other citizens of the town, and
the net effect is to create physical combat out of what were minor conflicts.
All because Gaunt is ... well, that would be telling.  Hmm, we never REALLY
find out, anyhow.

Having read the novel I was prepared to really enjoy the movie.  Sadly, I think
the movie falls a bit short in several places.  A lot of material was cut out
for time reasons (King's novels are quite long), but they cut out some of the
BEST parts:  the Elvis sunglasses, the Tucker Talisman and they cut way back
on the Baptists vs. Catholics "Casino Nite" conflict.  Plenty of Brian Rusk,
Nettie Cobb and Wilma Jerzyck.

The continuity is a bit rough in spots.  Late in the movie we see some
new faces admitting to deeds not shown before, as if some earlier scenes were
filmed and then cut out.  We never learn the fate of Brian Rusk, and really
don't much care when the sheriff brings up the subject.  And Polly's arthritis
is underplayed, so we don't empathize when Gaunt puts the \mazuka/ on her.

Still, this movie probably is a lot more fun in the theatre than on the 
small screen.  There's a fair amount of explosions and other "big-screen"
effects that won't be so dramatic at home.  A must-see for King fans, but
nobody else.

  John

>>All because Gaunt is ... well, that would be telling.  Hmm, we never REALLY
>>find out, anyhow.


>>  John

     geez john, thanks for being so considerate and not telling me who
     mr. gaunt really is... now if you only would have had a spoiler alert
     above the rest of your comments... i might have wanted to check this
     movie out for myself...

     thanks again!

     /b<

    Not really a standard horror adaptation. In fact, the 'horror' part
    of it really doesn't come about.  A fun cast of familiar faces, Max Von
    Sydow really likes to ham it up and save for a fairly lame ending (the
    book didn't do any better and in fact, the movie is pretty faithful to
    the book), all around nice time. 
    
    I know this got banged on by reviewers and didn't do all that well in
    release, but I think it got an unfair rap.  
    
    The gore-adverse need not to worry too much about having to hide their
    eyes.  
    
    One of the better King adaptations, really.
    
    **.75 out of ****
    
    
    kim

    As an adaptation, I think Max was perfect as Gaunt... and I was glad
    they didn't go for the guy turning into a demon monster at the end... 
    I've found that most movies that end like that lend a really stupid
    feel to the ending... this ending was relatively humorous and
    entertaining. 
    
    Michael