Highly Overrated But Still Good

Fantastic!

As Good As It Gets

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Gorgeously filmed bit of Americana, although it's a rather dark vision American about of loneliness and the struggle to achieve the "American Dream." Director and star Gary Sinise, with screenwriter Horton Foote (who memorably adapted the 1962 film version of "To Kill a Mockingbird"), craft a faithful adaptation of the John Steinbeck novel about two depression era drifters, George and Lennie. I won't bother summarizing the plot, as I'll assume anyone reading this has already read the book in middle school (or maybe you're a middle schooler watching the film instead of reading the book?), but Sinise is perfect as George, but the seemingly miscast John Malkovich as Lennie is surprisingly good in his role as well. Malkovich has never been a physically imposing presences on screen, which is one way he seems wrong for playing the hulking Lennie, and Malkovich is typically cast in sharp-tongues verbose roles such as "Dangerous Liaisons" or the villain in "In the Line of Fire," but he does a wonderful job as the childlike Lennie. If I had to compare this performance to another of his, he did play a simple minded character in "Making Mr. Right" (along with a dual role as a more Malkovich-like of scientist). Ray Walston is the other standout in the cast as the old ranch hand Candy, who should have put down his own dog. Walston's role is a smaller one, but it's a particularly moving one from a veteran actor who's best remembered for his more comic of performances ("The Apartment," "The Sting," or "My Favorite Martian"), which really speaks to his talent. There really isn't a false note among any of the cast members, who include Casey Siemaszko, Sherilyn Fenn, John Terry, Alexis Arquette, Joe Morton, and Noble Willingham. These brilliant performances, elegant direction, and beautiful writing are complimented by one of composer Mark Isham's best scores (and that's saying something) and golden hued picturesque photography by Kenneth MacMillan. Overall, I'd rank Gary Sinise's "Of Mice and Men" among the best films of the 1990s and it's a crime the he hasn't directed a feature film since. FUN FACT! Walton's Candy is missing a hand and Walston is best known for playing Mr. Hand in "Fast Times at Ridgemount High."

It's never an easy task tackling an adaptation of a famed novel and revered writer John Steinbeck's oft talked about and well-loved title from 1937 Of Mice and Men is a risky proposition for the big screen with its deep themes, hard hitting examination of human nature and multilayered characters but all the way back in 1992 actor/director Gary Sinise (a face still perhaps best known from Forrest Gump and now sadly the TV series CSI: NY) alongside John Malkovich, helped turn Steinbeck's source material into a drama filled with heart, soul and against all odds, humour.Sinise's masterstroke of casting himself into the lead role of caring soul George Milton who takes ownership of Malkovich's hulking yet handicapped Lennie in the farming plains of America in the late 1920's/early 1930's helps bring Steinbeck's words to life with the two unlikely comrades enacting a banter and chemistry between each other that quickly brings the viewer into their worlds, both through the eyes of the driven George and the child like Lennie, who in many ways is but a small child trapped in the body of a stronger than he knows adult who's main concern is getting a puppy or tending to rabbits when indeed every day of his existence is threatened from more than one angle.Through these two fine actors we have access to two men we come to care for and relate to, Sinise has arguably never been better even though his role requires little flash while Malkovich's considered and measured turn as Lennie is quite the feat, which makes the fact his turn was largely ignored upon release quite mystifying. The two are ably supported by fine turns from side players Ray Walston as the aging yet loving Candy, Sherilyn Flynn as the hard done by wife of a farm owners son and farm hand Slim played by John Terry. With the actors on song in front of the camera, Sinise shows sufficient craftsmanship behind the camera while screenwriter Horton Foote delivers a hearty dose of emotional heft in a script jam packed with delivery of human kindness and the tough decisions that sometimes need to be made despite the hardship it will no doubt offer in the short-term.A fulfilling and quietly powerful adaptation of a loaded novel, Of Mice and Men stands up well against the test of time and makes one wish Sinise had in the years proceeding this film's release gone onto more memorable ventures behind the camera as well as in front of it and while the tricky subject matters may not be classed as entertainment in the typical sense, Of Mice and Men is a quality title deserving of its fine reputation by those that have discovered it as the years progress.4 dirty overalls out of 5

Saw in one of the episodes Sawyer reading the book "Of mice and men" the title was catchy. Googled it and came to know about this movie. Awesome acting. Might want to read the book someday. Though I am not an avid reader. Saw in one of the episodes Sawyer reading the book "Of mice and men" the title was catchy. Googled it and came to know about this movie. Awesome acting. Might want to read the book someday. Though I am not an avid reader.Saw in one of the episodes Sawyer reading the book "Of mice and men" the title was catchy. Googled it and came to know about this movie. Awesome acting. Might want to read the book someday. Though I am not an avid reader.

FILM REVIEW Of mice and man FILM REVIEW This story is about a normal person and an unable outsider working in a ranch and the problems about them working in the ranch. It is a period drama. The main characters are George(Gary Sinise), Lennie (John Michovich) and Candy(Ray Walston). I think this film is successful the background and the actor can show us really real the old time in America. I think George do the best in the film ,because when Lennie do something wrong he always to protect him and always take care of Lennie. I think the best part of the film it is the ending of the film is Lennie kill Curley's wife and he run away, George going to find Lennie and meet Lennie one last time and kill him, it can show us George like a father make Lennie feel safe one last time George have no chose he mast kill him. The film can more strong to show us the the feeling and the story. The setting can entertains me at all because the background setting is really real to show us 1992s in America. I think the most boring moment is George and Lennie get out the bus and walk to the ranch and they live next to a small river and George told Lennie something about them house in the future, I think there is the most boring moment in this story. I think Curley is incorrect because he doesn't put up a man who is a rich man' son he doesn't put up he was felt proud. He should put up more proud and more different with others I think. But actually it was a good film, I think there will be some teenagers be interesting who finish to read this book. If five point is the full mark I will give this film 4 point.