Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

Review by Tim Basham

The most ironic event of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events come when a strong wind blows down the shaky, cliff-side home of Aunt Josephine (Meryl Streep).

The house is poorly supported by a thin framework of 2 x 4's high above the rocky shore of an immense lake. With a foundation like that, it never has a chance -- kind of like this movie.

Based on the first three books by Daniel Handler, Lemony Snicket covers the adventures of the three Bauldelaire children whose parents die in a mysterious house fire.

The orphans are taken to live with numerous-times-removed relative Count Olaf (Jim Carrey) who tries desperately to steal the children's enormous inheritance.

After the count is found to be unfit as a guardian (leaving them in a locked car on a train track with a locomotive bearing down on them may have had something to do with the decision) the children are passed from distant relative to even further distant relative, but never too far from Count Olaf who repeatedly appears in disguise as he pursues the children's wealth.

The short piece of animation used to open the film is funny and fitting. The casting is excellent. And Jim Carrey's portrayal of Count Olaf's portrayal as an Italian reptile handler is priceless. Special effects, music, costumes--all were well done.

So why didn't it work? Blame it on the foundation, or lack of. Something got horribly lost in translation from the books to the movie. Perhaps it was lost on the cutting room floor (if there's a director's cut coming out with a lot of additional minutes, I want to see it). Screen writing credit was given to Robert Gordon (Men In Black II, Galaxy Quest).

But underneath it all, there's a feeling of "movie by committee."

"Okay, everyone. I got these books, see? And the kids love 'em, see? So read through 'em and pick out your favorite parts. Then we'll throw a bunch of money at Jim Carrey to play the lead and we'll have a box office smash!"

Meryl Streep is at her Oscar-worthy best in her performance as the beautifully insane Aunt Josephine. Few actresses shine brighter. And Emily Browning captivates as the elder sibling Violet Bauldelaire although she is quickly becoming much too mature and alluring to maintain her standing as a child actress.

But the film quickly becomes its own worst enemy by awkwardly inserting sight gags such as the AFLAC duck and Dustin Hoffman's brief appearance as an audience member during a play.

Carrey saves many awkward scenes such as these. But the full weight of Lemony Snicket and its lack of foundation is just too much -- even for him.

2 out of 5

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Australian release: Thursday December 16th
Cast: Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep, Kara Hoffman, Liam Aiken, Billy Connolly, Jude Law.
Director: Brad Silberling.
Website: Click here.

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