Great story turned into melodrama

Rating: 6/10 (5 August 2006)

I like Steven Spielberg's films, but I wish he would stick with action-adventure or sci-fi blockbusters. All his films with a serious subject or social connotation end up looking (some more than others) overdone, melodramatic, even redundant.
Take "Amistad": what a compelling story, yes? Simply telling it verbally would fill one with horror, revolt and compassion, then joy for its happy ending. While I respect Mr. Spielberg's choice and intentions, I found the film's execution a bit disappointing. I thought the acting was excellent (OK, Mr. McConaughey seemed a bit out of place to me), but the film overshot quite a bit. Too much added visual dramatism or heavy music, overpowering the film, accentuating its mood and telling the audience what to feel and think. The film attempts to tell a true to life story in an overly polished and enhanced way. Every dramatic scene is pushed to the max, with its details so obviously controlled and perfected that they turn into flaws.
There was one scene that almost annoyed me: Cinque and his people dressed in theatrically immaculate white clothes (lest anyone is still not clear who the innocent victims are in this story...) as they all stand proudly on the ship taking them home, watching the horizon with the dramatic dignity of a king and his royal entourage, while a large choir sings gloriously in the background. It looked more like an act from an opera than a scene from a film trying to depict a story realistically.
Really, Mr. Spielberg, no need to lay it that thick for the viewers. Most of them are smarter than you appear to believe, and would appreciate the chance to respond to the story without being beaten over the head and pointed the way with such vehemence. I am sure that would also make the film's experience more rewarding, intellectually. Sometimes less really is more.
Maybe big-budget is the kiss of death for serious dramas?