NT Live: Of Mice and Men
There was hardly a dry eye in the house
Of Mice and Men is a tale that I first read some ten years ago, and it’s one that has stuck with me for the past decade, in many ways helping to shape my taste in literature. Because of this, I was both excited and somewhat nervous about just what the recorded stage production would be like. Can Chris O’Dowd pull off the simple yet subtle characteristics of Lenny? How can James Franco play such an esteemed role as George after his more recent Hollywood offerings (The Interview was hardly an Oscar winning performance after all)?
I’m glad to say that my fears were completely laid to rest, as both men provided performances that were nothing short of astonishing in this play filmed at the National Theatre in London and broadcast at Cinema City. Anna Shapiro has directed a beautiful piece of theatre, managing to capture all the nuances of the book that make it such a compelling and heart-breaking story. We identify with the characters as they bring Steinbeck’s words to life, chiming in tune with our own desire for companionship, love and the realisation of our dreams. When the curtain fell on the play’s climactic final scene, there was hardly a dry eye in the house, testament to the power of this timeless and moving tale.
10/10
