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Preview by: Jack Foley
JIM Carrey seems content to juggle his serious roles with his
comedic at the moment, if his recent roles are anything to go
by.
Having returned to comedy last Summer, for Bruce
Almighty, the actor then captivated audiences with another
serious turn in the brilliant Eternal
Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Now, just in time for Christmas, he dons yet more make-up and
assumes a more comic guise for Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate
Events, which, judging by its trailer, could well become this
season's hottest ticket the other side of Pixar's The
Incredibles.
Narrated by Lemony Snicket (Jude Law), the film focuses on three
orphans - Klaus (Liam Aiken), Violet (Emily Browning), and Sunny
- who are taken in by a relative named Count Olaf (Jim Carrey),
once their property is inexplicably burned to the ground.
But far from being a kindly relative, however, Count Olaf has
designs on the childrens' inheritance and sets about claiming
it using his gift for disguise.
What he doesn't count on, however, is the resolve of the children,
or the numerous interferences from the likes of Uncle Monty (Billy
Connolly) and Aunt Josephine (Meryl Streep).
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The film is directed by Brad Siberling,
who jokingly said of the movie: "When you glance at the bare
premise of these books [from Daniel Handler], it could be a story
of gross child abuse."
Jokes aside, however, the film boasts an impressive look, courtesy
of Rick Heinrichs, who has come up with another Gothic look to
rival much of the work he so regularly contributes to Tim Burton's
movies.
And this should go some way to erasing any doubts caused by the
movie's somewhat troubled past.
It had been scheduled for a December 2003 release for Universal,
only to have to be put back because of time constraints and budget
difficulties.
Hence, producer, Scott Rudin, and former director, Barry (Men
in Black) Sonnenfeld both departed the project, due to budget
constraints, allowing Siberling (of City of Angels and Casper
fame) to step in.
Advance word suggests, however, that the delays may be worth
it, especially given the enthusiastic reaction to the trailer
at a recent press screening.
Carrey looks to be on top form, the children don't look too precocious
and the formidable support cast ought to go some way to ensuring
that this is a film for the kids and the adults to enjoy in equal
measure.
The film is due for a December opening on both sides of the Atlantic.
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