I really didn't give a d*mn

Rating: 2/10 (24 April 2005)

I REALLY didn't give a d*mn!!!!!
I watched this as a child with my parents who wanted to introduce me to the classics. I fell asleep then.
Much like Dickens, I realized later that this was something to re-examine, post-education. I was fully in a mindset of eager treasure-hunting, film-wise (I assumed I'd appreciate this as the "masterpiece" it's said to be), but sadly I realized that, while this is a good film, it's certainly not worthy of the time-honored accolades it's amazingly managed to accumulate.
As an American History major, I appreciate the period. The characters are, however, thinly-drawn caricatures trapped in a lingering melodrama.
The acting is over-the-top, unconvincing. The interpersonal relationships are soap-opera material at best.
Too many people simply assume that, just because a film is an epic LENGTH, it's an actual epic. The wasted sequences of pomp are overwhelmingly unnecessary and yawn-worthy. Nearly detestable.
Much like "It's a Wonderful Life," this film wastes a multitude of your life ( and expectation) on minutae; seems void of competent editing, yet STILL MANAGES TO BE UNINVOLVING!
I tried to enjoy it! These characters remain unrelatable, despite so much extraneous camera time. Nothing timeless here.
I really tried, but I just didn't give a d*mn.