Two Films About Dead People

I read the book (interesting perspectives though the writing style is a bit too arch at times) and now re-watched the film. The two leads are very good. It looks beautiful. The DVD has two commentaries.

The film had a somewhat dry spell once she had her little love affair (as in the book, it is annoying she didn't know he was not right for her while the captain warned her she won't have good judgment) but gets back on track when it skips ahead. 

The film largely follows the book though rearranges the love affair some and disposes of her annoying son. There is more philosophical discussion by the captain in the book and Mrs. Muir seems somewhat more independent in the film. Gene Tierney isn't quite who I would associate with the book version.  

Both have charms. A case where consuming both will be a rewarding enterprise. The t.v. show is a more sitcom-y enterprise and Mrs. Muir is more independent-minded. It's okay on that level.

I found Drool while looking for something else in the NYPL category. I'm not sure where the title comes from. The two adult leads have been in various things. IMBD suggests this was the director's only film.

The film has potential but parts work better than the whole. A mom has a lousy life with her abusive husband and son & daughter who don't respect her. 

The daughter uses drawing to deal with her angry emotions. This includes a boy who she likes who just uses her for sex. A new (black) neighbor, a beauty products rep, becomes her friend and a chance for some fun. After an unpleasant moment at his job, the husband comes home to find them kissing. 

This leads to the wife shooting the husband dead. The neighbor takes charge and takes the family on a road trip to dispose of the body. The owner of the beauty products business turns out to have repeatedly disposed of her husbands, providing a burial place.

The family finds happiness along the way. One visual evidence of this is the worn-down mom eventually becomes more youthful and energetic as the film goes along. She is not only alive in her fantasy life. 

The film takes around thirty minutes of largely unpleasant scenes to get on the road. The scenes do have some verve with the actors doing a good job. Still, it's rather unpleasant to watch. The later scenes have some quirkiness. I skipped around some.

Drool doesn't really work as a complete film. Still, the parts do make it interesting in bursts. The neighbor comes off the best while the daughter is somewhat sympathetic even as she acts like a shit at times.