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The Prince and the Pauper (2000)
It is extremely difficult to critique a film/story such as The Prince and the Pauper unless one fundamentally alters the story; like how Disney did with the Sprouse brother’s version. It reminded me of how the movie The Lawnmower Man had very little to do with the book by Stephen King.
The television rendition that is the topic of this article, however, is more like the version you’re used to seeing. Therefore, it becomes one of those situations where the focus shifts from execution to worrying about how to make comparisons. And like is not unusual twin brothers, Robert and Jonathan Timmins, were found to play the roles of Prince Edward and Thomas Canty. Their progress through the tale was gradual and quite skillfully achieved. At the start, they are reasonable but come off as borderline boring as they are two very polite boys, which in Tom Canty’s case is a bit too much, however, their enforced role reversal does bring out the best in them as actors as well as the interplay of the narrative really gets them going.
The movie breezes by at 90 minutes, and to some, it may feel like it passes too quickly. While the audience does not mind emotionally, it is compared to the denouement which is far too fast. It is unlike anything we typically see, and even more so, the Lord protector’s resentment of the false King seemed to happen far too quickly. The sudden escalation in conflict is very abrupt.
Miles Hendon is always a fantastic role to play, and Aidan Quinn did a great job here. Although, Jonathan Hyde is effective as a villain, there are times where he is just too much. His outrageousness makes him far too cartoonish – and some cartoons do portray more real elements.
While the scene where Miles learns what has transpired during his absence is fantastic, it does not compensate for his over the top sarcasm while pretending to believe that the Pauper’s tale about him being a Prince is for real.
You feel like learning the entire story even when it’s not the complete picture. Sean Scully delivered one of the best child acting performance in the celluloid history when he portrayed both roles in two hours long movie made by Disney in the year 1962. The movie did feel like it could have gone on longer. The images and situations that were provided by the filmmakers were incredibly sophisticated and needed no extra words to elucidate them through the dialogue, the two boys simply do not need to taught anything.
The locations, which are seldom specified, actually were perfectly found and looked splendid giving a very unique feel and enabling great prospects for the authentic visual appeal of the movie. The cinematography is quite good, and is greatly aided by the fabulous wardrobe and decor which surely colored many of the shots and made them stunning.
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