The story is based on the film "the Return of Martin Guerre", which itself is based upon a real affaire/trial set in 16th century southern France. To know more, read Zemon-Davis' book (on the real trial), watch the original film, both epic!
That said, I was eager to see how the remake would transpose in post civil war Amercia.
After the demise of the Confederates, Gere, aka Sommersby, comes back to his small southern town, after 6 long years of war. He has to rebuild his couple and the family fortunes (as well as that of the town's).
The first part is based on the Sommerby's finding and (re)discovering each other as well as the reconstruction of the economic activity of the town. And it works well, the couple Foster/Gere is touching, the plots flow nicely. So far, it's a good, entertaining, do good film...
and then... Sommersby's dark past resurfaces.
That's the second part of the film where it goes pear shape... and not even a tasty pear. The filmakers rushed in their attempts to adapt the original story and totally failed to catch up with the most important part, the trial. When the story should have reached a climax, we have instead a very painful succession of improbable twists and a miserable ending.
Sommersby was inspired by a fantastic real story and started fairly well, despite many liberties, it was potentially an epic film. However... in their effort to (partly) follow the original denouement, the crucial unraveling of the story, the filmakers botched the whole thing. Knowing the original plot, I understand why it was so important to try and adapt from it. But they rushed it, and in trying to put A and B together, they used cheap shortcuts and to me, they wrecked it all. Too bad...
That said, I was eager to see how the remake would transpose in post civil war Amercia.
After the demise of the Confederates, Gere, aka Sommersby, comes back to his small southern town, after 6 long years of war. He has to rebuild his couple and the family fortunes (as well as that of the town's).
The first part is based on the Sommerby's finding and (re)discovering each other as well as the reconstruction of the economic activity of the town. And it works well, the couple Foster/Gere is touching, the plots flow nicely. So far, it's a good, entertaining, do good film...
and then... Sommersby's dark past resurfaces.
That's the second part of the film where it goes pear shape... and not even a tasty pear. The filmakers rushed in their attempts to adapt the original story and totally failed to catch up with the most important part, the trial. When the story should have reached a climax, we have instead a very painful succession of improbable twists and a miserable ending.
Sommersby was inspired by a fantastic real story and started fairly well, despite many liberties, it was potentially an epic film. However... in their effort to (partly) follow the original denouement, the crucial unraveling of the story, the filmakers botched the whole thing. Knowing the original plot, I understand why it was so important to try and adapt from it. But they rushed it, and in trying to put A and B together, they used cheap shortcuts and to me, they wrecked it all. Too bad...