In general, the term "silver tongue" is used to refer to someone who can effectively and eloquently communicate with others. Often this term is used to refer to someone who gives stirring, well-written, and coherent speeches in front of large groups of people. In the story of "Inkheart" however, the term is used to refer to anyone gifted with the unique ability to bring books to life simply by reading out loud.
In the 2009 adaptation of Cornelia Funke's novel, Brendan Fraser stars as Mortimer Folchart, the haunted silver tongue who unwittingly sets off a chain of unfortunate events by reading the book "Inkheart" to his daughter out loud. By doing so, Mortimer not only brings a group of villains into our world, but sends his wife into the world of the book. Opening nine years after this tragic occurrence, the film finds Mortimer and his daughter Meggie (Eliza Bennett) traveling around the world making frequent stops at antique book shops in search of the elusive text. But when the characters of Inkheart show up again in Mortimer's life, it becomes obvious that undoing his mistakes will not be only a matter of saving his wife, but the world as well.
"Inkheart" is ultimately about the nature of fantasy and the aim of every fantasy story ever written. What makes fantasy so alluring as a genre is the promise of escape to a universe other than our own. In "Inkheart" that universe instead invades our world.
"Inkheart" is not bad. To its credit, the film features a fairly engaging story. The concept of being burdened with a power that you have little control over and do not want offers viewers some food for thought. References to life as a unique story, one in which the end is not yet known, also mark a handful of scenes with some depth. The film features some very convincing special effects and imaginative costumes. Several of the characters unleashed from the world of the book are also quite colorful. A nod or two in the way of good acting performances goes to Andy Serkis who plays Capricorn, the antagonist, to comedic and villainous perfection. Paul Bettany, whose portrayal of the tortured and magical Dustfinger, evokes the kind of genuine sympathy needed to move the action of the film along.
On the flipside, Fraser's performance is unimpressive in the light of his previous successes. He's not awful, his performance simply lacks sincerity and depth. Helen Mirren, who plays Mortimer's aunt Elinor Loredan, handles her character fairly well, but finds herself in situations and settings that feel rather awkward for an actress of her prowess and poise. Some sloppy editing in spots also adds to an overall feel of slipshod technical work. Academy Award nominated composer Javier Navarrete also misses his mark with a score that at times does not quite fit the action on screen, and at other times reflects its influences too transparently.
Thanks to the 2007-2008 Writer's Guild strike, "Inkheart's" release date was pushed back almost a year, giving Disney enough time to put the finishing touches on "Bedtime Stories" - a film with an identical overall concept, though a different actual plot. Nonetheless, it seems that there was little thunder to be stolen in this adaptation. The movie is not terrible. It simply fails to be all that could have been. It's a decent piece of entertainment, but if you're looking for more than that, "Inkheart" may prove a bit disappointing.
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