BroadcastChic
Excellent, a Must See
Maidexpl
Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast
Fleur
Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
nysalesman
Death of a Salesman always had a special place in my heart. It was the first play that I ever read, and as a travelling salesman, I know what it's like to live on a shoeshine and a smile. During my years in this business I've seen many Willie Lowman types. Salespeople that were super effective in the old days but got left behind, because they refused to change with the times. Although I'm not an actor, I feel that I could portray this role better than any before.This being said, the 1985 movie of Death of a Salesman was brilliantly acted by Hoffman; and I have a new respect for John Malkovich. My only problem was the emotions didn't seem to hit the mark at the two most emotional points of the play. The first being when Biff finds Willie with the woman. Here Willie just wasn't devastated enough - the emotional spirit just wasn't there. I found the same disappointment in the final scene. The sense of panic and impending doom just wasn't there. If these two scenes were directed differently (I can't blame the actors, because they were so good), then I would have rated this 10 stars.
FairlyAnonymous
Death of a Salesman is one of those plays that some people love and consider it a classic and others hate because it isn't entirely accurate with history and doesn't seem to quite work. I honestly don't mind the play BUT the movie... that's a different story.The movie decides to be a little too accurate to the play... and by a little too accurate I mean it is almost word for word exactly the same as the play and virtually scene for scene the same. I actually watched it with the script of the play in front of me and found only a few minor things altered. Now Romeo+Juliet did it and that movie didn't turn out half bad, but what do I find so annoying about the way this movie does it? Maybe it is because the movie is literally on stage-set...I'm not even joking, when the characters look at the ceiling there is NO CEILING! Just an opening of the set! There aren't even walls to the house, they are just movable pieces so there are huge gaps in them. While some people might find this "unique" that a movie decided to make a stage adaptation and make into a film, I can only say this: Why in the world would you make it into a movie with this format? I mean seriously, I watch a movie to watch a movie and to break the realm of a play. A movie is simply a play with more freedom and more opportunity to tell a story. But this movie restricts the freedom that is given to a movie and tries to limit the power of the story and make it just a play. I still have no idea why someone thought that was a good idea! Plays are plays and movies are movies. You might as well go on youtube and just watch a video of someone recording the actual play. There is no reason for this movie to pretend that it is a play.Now how is the acting? Well... pretty darn good. Dustin Hoffman gives a solid performance and all of the actors do pretty well. All of the acting is done well and I think everything the play was trying to portray was portrayed in the "movie". If there was one problem I had with the play and with this film is that the son is too much of a coward to tell his mom why his father and him are arguing. Pretty much every problem that occurs in this movie could be easily resolved if everyone was just a tad bit smarter. It makes me mad when there is a conflict only for the sake of conflict. I find it a bit unrealistic that the conflict didn't get resolved, because it is evident that if everyone knew the truth then everyone would be at equal grounds and a resolution would take place. But alas, that is not how the story goes.Overall, the Death of a Salesman isn't a terrible movie, but it isn't really a movie. It is a play. That is why I don't really consider this a good movie because it isn't a movie. In all honesty, if someone were to film the play A Death of A Salesman and release it in theaters I bet it would get extremely low reviews because it isn't a movie. I feel like if this "movie" would've attempted to transfer the play into a movie format I would've been able to enjoy it a bit more, but all of the glaring mistakes of a play are still obvious in this movie. I'm sure it was a cute "joke" when this movie was made, and at first it was kind of funny that there was no ceiling, or no walls, but it quickly wears away at the movie once you realize the movie is just being cheap.
gallagher-dylan
Throughout the movie we are constantly reminded that there is nothing special about Willy, he is simply an aging man with a family and a dream. Yet, because he is so average, any one who as ever experienced hardship can connect with him; Arthur Miller's character, via Dustin Hoffman, is able to reach anybody. Arthur Miller's original screenplay is a work of art in its self, however, Hoffman gives a spectacular performance. And, with John Malkovich's fine supporting performance, the movie becomes, truly, powerful. The movie has a very definitive ending, but it leaves the watcher with a question to reflect upon: Did this man with the dream really have the right dream after all.
Vishal Agrawal
This is an adaptation of a 1949 Arthur Miller's play with the same name. Willy Loman is a salesman who is facing financial, domestic and health problem in the twilight hours of his life. Its supposed to an American classic and I must say it is. There are a few plays or novels which are so fantastic to see or read. The play is instant knowledge. Its like one of those instant energy drinks you read/watch it and you know why it is a classic. Any decent adaptation of the play would be great but this film is really great. I liked the treatment. Its just full of dialogs and actors. The director has not changed the play because the film medium. That's why it looks like a play with film like sets. There is not a single moment where you feel you are watching a film. It's obvious from the first scene that you are watching a play. I think this is one of the best adaptation of a play I have seen so far. Hoffman has done a wonderful job. Initially I though 47 years old Hoffman with makeup was not convincing with Kate Reid as her wife but as the film grows on you it doesn't matter at all. I liked the story so much. It's so realistic.All the actors are very good. I think its a must watch for experimental film viewers. what a great play.
