National Theatre Live: Frankenstein (2011)

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   Siskoid

   National Theatre Live's presentation of Frankenstein is actually two presentations, depending on the night you see it, part of the clever mirroring of Victor Frankenstein and his Creature. Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller (two TV Sherlocks, which can't be a coincidence) exchange roles night to night, in service of a story about toxic fatherhood, child abandonment, and thus the sins of the father being visited on the child. We need that osmosis, and given the somewhat misogynistic streak running through the dialog and action, I'd have to also say the interpretation of Shelley is that her novel is at least in part about how creation is a woman's domain, a man only being able to unnaturally bring a creature forth, a creature that will necessarily become a destructive force. It's more Modern Oedipus than Modern Prometheus, perhaps. Impeccably shot for the big screen, director Danny Boyle has given it a cinematic scope without resorting to turning it into a movie with, for example, one of those obnoxious live scores we tend to get in theater today. Now, the one I watched had Jonny Lee Miller in the role of the creature, and he steals the show with an amazing, physical, sympathetic yet dangerous, evolving performance. Cumberbatch is well-cast as Victor. I watched the other version for about 40 minutes before scanning through to various scenes, but I couldn't get into it. Cumberbatch's Creature felt a little silly to me, and Miller with wig was fine, but it really did feel like they exchanged roles for one night as a gimmick. The other way around feels like such perfect casting and performance that Creaturebatch is its pale and gross imitation. If you only watch one, make it the one with Miller as the Monster. 3 years 11 months ago

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