Maggie Gyllenhaal‘s hotly anticipated–emphasis on the “hot”–take on Bride of Frankenstein, simply titled The Bride, walks down the aisle and into theaters this week. Ahead of that release, Variety reports that test screenings have criticized the film’s sexual violence. Not only that, but Warner Bros. had some pretty ridiculous words for Gyllenhaal in response.
According to the outlet, Gyllenhaal joined The New York Times’ “The Interview” podcast to discuss the film. The director got into the test screenings, a new experience for her as a filmmaker. “It was difficult, but not in a bad way. It was just very new for me. I loved working with Pam Abdy, who runs Warner Bros. with Mike De Luca. She understood me and understood what I was saying. And there would be times where she would be like: ‘Maggie, you cannot have Frankenstein lick black vomit off the Bride’s neck. It’s just too much. You can’t do it.’ But she understood why I wanted it.”
Gyllenhaal adds that Warner Bros. repeatedly asked that the violence be toned down, “so what you’re seeing is even a little bit pulled back from what was originally in the movie.”
That’s disappointing. I say that not just as a horror fan, but as someone who wants to see a film the way the filmmaker intended it. And if Maggie wants Frankenstein licking black vomit off the Bride’s neck, then I say let her have it! After all, who are we to judge how these monsters want to get down?
In The Bride, “A lonely Frankenstein (Bale) travels to 1930s Chicago to ask groundbreaking scientist Dr. Euphronious (five-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening) to create a companion for him. The two revive a murdered young woman, and The Bride (Buckley) is born. What ensues is beyond what either of them imagined: Murder! Possession! A wild and radical cultural movement! And outlaw lovers in a wild and combustible romance!”
The film stars Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Peter Sarsgaard, with Bening, Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal, and Oscar winner Penélope Cruz.
The Bride! is rated R for “strong/bloody violent content, sexual content/nudity, and language.”
The mother f*%#ing Bride is bringing the thunder and lightning to theaters March 6.
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