The Bride (1985)

After years of research, the doctor (Sting) finally succeeds in creating the perfect woman, who gets the name "Eva" (Jennifer Beals).Frankstein's full name in the film is Baron Charles Frankenstein, unlike Mary Shelley's Victor Frankenstein or Universal's Henry Frankenstein. The dwarf in the film is named Rinaldo, also the name of blacklisted Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein screenwriter Frederic I. Rinaldo, who also wrote the scripts for several Universal films, including Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951); Hold That Ghost (1941); The Black Cat (1941) and The Invisible Woman (1940). I like that Rinaldo nod. I was confused why they had to give Frankenstein a new name, but it does make sense later on... though it might have made more sense to stick with Henry if they were going to go off-canon.The film received negative reviews and a Razzie nomination for Beals. I'm not sure why this happened. Yes, Beals is not amazing, and for those who thought she would be huge after "Flashdance", they might be disappointed. But a Razzie? And the film as a whole is an interesting take -- I liked it. I didn't love it, but I liked it.

As far as characters go, "The Bride" goes into depth with its subplots about both Frankenstein's monster and of course the bride of the monster, both trying to adapt to society in general, while Dr. Frankenstein keeps the bride in the dark about her true origins. Meanwhile, the "monster", later renamed Viktor, meets a midget which starts a subplot reminiscent of "Of Mice and Men" with a freakshow/carnival setting, and to be honest, this keeps going for some time.Too long, actually. It feels like the movie is merely treading water and next time the story gets moving is not long before it comes to an end.It would have been better if it had been considerably shorter actually.

The beautiful young ward of Baron Charles Frankenstein tires of being his student and rebels against his strict tutelage, unaware that she was indeed brought to life by the mad doctor--sewn together from corpses--and that a male counterpart to whom she was intended is roaming the countryside. Director Franc Roddam and screenwriter Lloyd Fonvielle's underrated, well-paced rethinking of 1935's "The Bride of Frankenstein" hasn't much intrinsic spirit, though it does have lyrical scenes and an absorbing narrative which qualify it as a fascinating misfire. As the Baron, rock star Sting poses sufficiently and glowers moodily, though he's all on one-note; Jennifer Beals is somewhat better as his charge--with feminist leanings--and a number of her scenes (such as her first run-in with a cat, and her dialogue with a derelict traveler) are quite beguiling; Beals however can't escape her ineffectual delivery (a non-musical sing-song), and though Roddam's close-ups of her are very pretty, she doesn't have much going on underneath (it's beauty without mystery). Clancy Brown is the sympathetic star here playing Frankenstein's initial creation, and his relationship with happy-go-lucky dwarf David Rappaport is marvelous. A better film than many critics gave it credit for being, "The Bride" is surprisingly ambitious and yet it isn't paced like a tableaux "epic". Roddam is careful but also spry, and once the plot takes hold, coupled with the handsome settings, it makes for a rather grand experience. **1/2 from ****

In this wonderful movie, Sting plays Dr. Frankenstein, who after already creating his first monster and finding him disappointing and annoying has decided to create the perfect woman. He's successful in his pursuit, but the first monster, Clancy Brown in a heartwarming role, is chased away after becoming a little to possessive of his new bride.The monster runs off into the woods and befriends a little person, Rinaldo the Midget, played wonderfully by David Rappaport, on his way to join the circus. He invites the monster along, and gives him the name of Victor. It is from Rinaldo, who's patient and understanding in a way Dr. Frankenstein never was, that Victor learns how to get by in life, how to behave, how to share, and to go after your dreams.Meanwhile, back at the castle, Dr. Frankenstein is trying to educate and enlighten his newest creation Eva, a lovely and talented Jennifer Beals. He aspires to create the perfect woman, as intelligent and independent as a man. He does not, however, consider the full implications of his aspirations.As Eva grows and learns, she begins to ask questions. She has been lied to about who she is and where she comes from. Much to Dr. Frankenstein's annoyance, she has become strong-willed and independent, just like a man, but obviously not quite what he had considered. He had also not considered how arousing he would find her.Victor and Rinaldo successfully join the circus after much persuading, but Rinaldo longs for his dream to visit Venice, and Victor discovers he longs for his dream of Eva, his intended.As the movie progresses, there is an obvious connection between the two characters which they are aware of, but aren't in contact with each other.As Dr. Frankenstein introduces Eva into society with a few little mishaps, Eva discovers a handsome young soldier played by a very young Cary Elwes. He pursues her as he would any woman he would like to bed, much to agitation of Dr. Frankenstein.The movie moves towards its climax, bringing with it an intensity and a heartfelt conclusion that makes it overall a remarkable movie.Sting manages to convey Dr. Frankenstein's increasing frustration with his independent, disobedient, yet lovely creation, a dark character who also enjoys his opium from time to time. The scenes with Victor and Rinaldo are wonderful. Jennifer Beals is perfectly bewitching, at first unknowing and naive, then becoming strong and intelligent as the movie progresses, yet still revealing an innocence to her character.I think anyone would be charmed and entertained by this wonderful movie, and I highly recommend it to all.