As a follower of Robert Eggers' work, I had high expectations for his short film "The Tell-Tale Heart," based on the famous Edgar Allan Poe story. However, upon witnessing what unfolded on the screen, I found myself surprisingly perplexed, as instead of a faithful and terrifying adaptation of the master of horror, it appeared more like a parody in the style of Wes Anderson.
Anyone familiar with the original tale knows the significant emphasis placed on the old man's eye and the nights. Yet, in this interpretation, for some reason, the focus shifts to the elderly man's "physiological habits" rather than his eye. Furthermore, during the night of his death, the old man's eye fails to become a crucial element, contradicting the original story, in which the protagonist's paranoia stems from the belief that he is being watched.
What's even more bewildering is the absence of dialogue and detailed shots, resulting in a narrative that feels concise and lacking in nuances. In my opinion, this lack of visual and narrative exploration fails to distinctly align with either the style of German expressionism or modern filmmaking.
A little toothless but quite atmospheric, nevertheless. Not a big fan of the old-school transitions.
Shout by Matthew Luke BradyBlockedParent2024-01-03T00:39:11Z
An early short film by filmmaker Robert Eggers. To quote David the Android from Prometheus, “Big things have small beginnings.”
Eggers manages to capture the atmosphere incredibly well here. His potential as a fantastic director is on clear display here.