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Disney’s legacy is deeply rooted in adaptations, with the studio initially finding immense success by drawing inspiration from public domain tales for its animated classics. As the company ventured into live-action films, it continued this tradition, hoping to replicate its animated triumphs. In 1995, Disney, through its Buena Vista Pictures division, attempted to bring Nathaniel Hawthorne’s iconic 1850 novel “The Scarlet Letter” to the big screen. Unfortunately, this adaptation is often remembered as one of the most disappointing cinematic interpretations ever attempted by any studio.
Disney
Director Roland Joffé made the controversial choice to transform “The Scarlet Letter” into an R-rated erotic thriller, casting Demi Moore and Gary Oldman in the lead roles. While Hawthorne’s original narrative centers around a scandalous affair between a woman and a minister, resulting in a child born out of wedlock, its focus is far from being salacious. Instead, it explores themes of sin, guilt, and societal judgment.
Had Joffé succeeded in creating a compelling erotic thriller, perhaps the deviation from the source material could have been overlooked. However, the film failed to deliver on multiple fronts, neither succeeding as an erotic thriller nor as a quality film in general.
Critics were unsparing in their criticism, and the movie languished with a dismal 13% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Much like the previous year’s “Striptease,” which nearly derailed Demi Moore’s career, “The Scarlet Letter” suffered a similarly harsh reception both at the box office and among critics. Moore’s performance earned her two Razzie nominations: worst actress and worst screen couple alongside Gary Oldman. The film had a total of five Razzie nominations and “won” the title of worst remake.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, who passed away over 130 years before the release of this ill-fated adaptation, was thankfully spared from witnessing its reception. Had he been alive, it’s likely he would have joined the ranks of authors appalled by the poor adaptations of their literary works. Whether he would have appreciated the 2010 reimagining “Easy A,” known for its humor and charm, remains speculative. However, it’s clear which of the two films he might have favored, had he been compelled to choose.
The Scarlet Letter was nominated for 7 Razzie Awards
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Critics were brutal in reviewing “The Scarlet Letter,” earning it a pathetic 13% score on Rotten Tomatoes. As much as the previous year’s “Striptease” almost ruined Demi Moore’s acting career, the poor box office performance and critical drubbing that “The Scarlet Letter” received certainly didn’t do her reputation any favors. In fact, Moore was nominated for two Razzies for her performance in the movie — worst actress, and worst screen couple with Gary Oldman. Among the additional five nominations the movie received, it “won” the Razzie for worst remake.
Author Nathaniel Hawthorne died more than 130 years before the 1995 movie adaptation was released, so he thankfully didn’t have to see it himself. But if he did, he almost certainly would have joined the ranks of writers who hated the horrible movie adaptations of their work. Whether he would have enjoyed what some consider the all-time best movie based on his book, the hilarious and charming 2010 reimagining “Easy A,” is anyone’s guess — but there’s no question which of the two movies he would have preferred if he was forced to pick one.
