Of Mice and Men (1992)

A strong argument favors Gary Sinise's 1992 Of Mice and Men over the classic 1939 version that critics have historically preferred. As adapted by the great playwright-screenwriter Horton Foote, John Steinbeck's Depression-era masterpiece comes alive with timeless simplicity, more candid in language and behavior, and therefore more honest in its embrace of Steinbeck's beloved pair of lowly dreamers George (Sinise) and his retarded cousin Lennie (John Malkovich). On the lam, they find work as farmhands, joining a close-knit crew and trying to avoid trouble stirred by the dangerously seductive wife (Sherilyn Fenn) of the boss's sadistic son (Casey Siemaszko). There's not a false note or bad performance in the entire film; as veterans of Chicago's acclaimed Steppenwolf Theater, Malkovich and Sinise possess the compassionate chemistry that makes George and Lennie inseparable until the tragic, inevitable final scene. As director, Sinise serves the material with no-frills fidelity; it's easy to believe that Steinbeck would have approved. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Movies based off books can be amazing

I had no expectations of this movie. I had not read the story. The movie was a big surprise to me. It was funny and very well made. The actors were greatly chosen. The actors definetely led the movie in a great way. This film is a must as it is needed to be experience through high school. Of Mice & Men proves that movies based off books can be very good even if its classis literature. June 25, 2008

What on earth posessed them to cast JOHN MALKOVICH???!!!

Gary Sinise is great in everything he does--and if he'd teamed up with Brad Garrett, this could have been an excellent remake. John Malkovich is one of the most overrated actors ever! His Lennie is a travesty--his voice is a horrible nasal monotone, and he does NOT give the impression of being huge, which is one of Lennie's most striking characteristics. He also doesn't in any way have the almost otherworldly, loving and lovable quality which Lon Chaney showed simply through his facial expressions. Unfortunately, this is the version that will be shown in schools, not the stupendous version with Burgess Meredith and Lon Chaney, Jr.
Lon Chaney, Jr.--Now THERE was a Lennie! He was absolutely transcendant in the role.
Unfortunately, many don't want to see anything "old", or in black-and-white. What a shame that real masterpieces are undermined.
I saw a version with Randy Quaid, who gave an excellent performance--but Lon still takes the prize as the Lennie for All Seasons. I suppose next we'll see John Malkovich tackling Rhett Butler--and the critics will probably rave... April 5, 2008

Yep, this one

Make no mistake--the performances by Gary Sinise (he is the consummate George) and John Malkovich (he is the consummate Lennie) are what make this rendition of M & M the best. If you are a high school teacher who teaches the novel, I highly recommend this production to supplement the reading. March 29, 2008

Mice and Men Review

Gary Sinise and John play very convincing roles. Both work as day laborers who wander from town to town. Lenny is retarded but incredibly strong. Sinise serves as his protector. The movie takes place in the thirties at the height of the depression. The scene props used were very convincing. Excellent movie!!! March 28, 2008

A Beautiful Film!

I was really pleased with this version of the Steinbeck novel. Gary Sinese did a wonderful job directing this--I had no idea he was so talented. The screenplay by Horton Foote is deeply moving. All of the actors are first rate. Malkovich is quite impressive, never going too far over the line which would be easy to do in such a role. Sinese is very good, too, in a moving performance. (I'm running out of superlatives.) All of the supporting actors and the actress give fine performances.

The setting is really beautiful-- the sunny California farm area, which helps to balance the darkness of the tale. The happier details of their work life--reaping the barley and the horseshoe game, give some notion of the joy of life even while you feel the sense of impending tragedy building up. It's all done very well.

The story is not a happy one, as stories go, but there is so much beauty in the relationship between these two men, that it left me teary eyed but not depressed. This is definitely a film worth seeing. Good for kids, too, I think. (Don't mind the woman who objected to the curse words.) February 2, 2008

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