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Alfred Hitchcock may be known for films like Psycho and The Birds and Rear Window, but one of his earlier films, 1940’s Rebecca, was the only one to win a (well-deserved) Oscar for Best Picture. Now Netflix has taken this brilliant adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s classic gothic thriller and remade it for a new audience.
Rebecca stars Lily James as a young woman who’s traveling the world as a lady’s companion for a wealthy but obnoxious woman. While in Monte Carlo, she meets Maxim de Winter (Armie Hammer), who’s known for his magnificent wealth and for the recent death of his equally magnificent wife. Somehow, though, he takes an interest in this young, naïve girl—and after days of dining and exploring the coast together, he decides to propose. But when the couple returns to his estate on the English coast, she finds herself living in the shadow of her husband’s sophisticated first wife.
From the glamour of Monte Carlo to the splendor of the de Winter home at Manderley, Rebecca is filled with striking scenery and breathtaking settings. Everything about it is grand and alluring—and it’s no surprise that this naïve young woman is so easily swept up in the romance and magic of it all. It’s impossible not to.
But, of course, the de Winters’ lives don’t remain this perfectly glamorous. Once they settle into their new home, the young bride is forced to live with the constant reminder that she’s not Rebecca—nor will she ever be. Friends and family and the disapproving housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers (Kristin Scott Thomas) make her feel unworthy—and things get darker and more suspenseful as she attempts to prove everyone wrong.
For the most part, the film stays true to the original. Still, those who love the original as much as I do will notice some subtle differences—especially in the film’s overall tone. Despite its dark moments, this isn’t a moody Hitchcock film. Director Ben Wheatley steps away from his usual violent, fast-moving action and makes the film feel surprisingly light and romantic. Hammer’s Maxim isn’t as dark and mysterious. In fact, he seems much more playful and attentive, just as James’s character, while still young and inexperienced, seems to have quite a bit more confidence. Those slight changes make their relationship (and the whole film itself) feel a little more stable—though, in this case, that’s not necessarily a good thing.
Like the young bride in the film, this remake has some pretty glamorous shoes to fill. For me personally, the original Rebecca was the movie that made me fall in love with film. Did it need a remake? No. Still, I understand why this remake exists: because, sadly, most people won’t go back and watch an old black-and-white film from 1940, no matter who directed it. And while this new Rebecca doesn’t live up to the sheer brilliance of the original, it’s still a fascinating film.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
