Is The Book Better Than The Movie?
Within the last 2 years of my life, I have incorporated reading into my daily routines. I feel that written words open your mind and allow you new perspectives on learning. I focus my reading on certain genres and hop around but, I do it every day. Mostly, for me, it’s informative texts and not simply reading for pleasure. I’m beating around the bush – I don’t read novels or novels that movies I watch are based on. In fact, the only book which I do intend to read is First Blood. Anyway, The Stepford Wives is based on a novel by Ira Levin too. That saying that the book is better than the movie seems to be true, but in the case of this movie, I have no way of knowing. Nor will I because I have no intention of reading the novel although I would watch the movie again.
The Stepford Wives is a Beautiful Snapshot of the 1970s
It seems that when I was much younger, I watched a newer version of The Stepford Wives. I’m not sure why or when, but it seemed familiar to me. For those of you who take the time to drop in weekly and read what I’m writing, you’ll know this isn’t a norm for me. One reason only drove me to watch The Stepford Wives, the scenery. I was certain that it would be full of 1970s clothes, cars, homes, and people. My intuition was not wrong, and I hopped on the time machine for a very clear picture of 1975. There were hats, gardens, tea parties, dresses, cars, homes, culture, hairstyles, and any other piece of daily life that you can imagine for your viewing pleasure in The Stepford Wives original version.
Helping My Mama Carry Groceries in Brown Paper Sacks
I’m going to dive a little deeper here. First, culture in The Stepford Wives. In the town where the family moves, the kids run and play throughout the town with no worry. Often, the group of children congregate at another of their homes where the mother of that house tends to them. Oh, what fond memories this brings back for me. My life was exactly like this as a child. The Stepford Wives reminded me of my grandmother on one occasion. She had a large circle-backed wicker chair on her back porch. One such piece of furniture is visible in The Stepford Wives. It’s housewife central in this clearly political film so, you see kitchen appliances, and grocery stores frequently. Here too, I’m back to a kid again. Going to the grocery store to help my mama carry our groceries in brown paper sacks was a weekly event.
Peppered throughout The Stepford Wives, there are many different period cars and other vehicles to see. There are cops cars, ambulances, and many other daily drivers in the movie. School buses and tractors are other pieces of large equipment that a viewer can observe. You can read more specifics about the motor vehicles used here. At one point, there is an Ingersoll Rand generator and jack hammer used. Being an artist, it’s cool to see old logos for companies that are still around. Sometimes you see that they have changed very little and other times they have radically changed. Branding would come with consistency though, I would think.
Crystal Clear Political Themes(s) In The Stepford Wives
You don’t need a film degree from Harvard or to be as smart as the doctor or scientist or whatever he was in this movie to see themes very evident in The Stepford Wives. Clearly, there are feminist vibes flowing throughout this 2-hour tale. Conversations between characters bluntly make these points in the clearest examples. No real heavy plot reviews in my blogs but, basically women are made into stereotypical housewife literal robots in this town. So, it’s easy to see where Women’s Lib is at the forefront of The Stepford Wives’ agenda. Another piece that I found interesting was that the President of the Men’s Club whose name was Dale “Diz” Coba. It’s the “Diz” part that I find intriguing. I wonder if this was a stab at Disney and the animatronics used at his theme parks. Perhaps even some characters in his movies?
Soulless Eyes and Creepy Ending of The Stepford Wives
The Stepford Wives keeps a slow and consistent pace but gradually escalates as the end approaches. I knew going in what the big idea was but, I would imagine for someone without a clue it would take a little time to really nail it down. By the time we get to the kitchen scene where our main character stabs her friend and she starts to short-circuit and not bleed, you have a good idea something is not right. Brainwashing would be my first guess. Another conversation that would lead you to this conclusion would be when the main character’s friend suddenly has a change in her previously extensive vocabulary.
As you arrive at the conclusion of The Stepford Wives, there are a couple of honestly creepy scenes. Well, the first I would consider creepy, and the latter unpleasant. Once it has become crystal clear that the women are being rebuilt into cyborgs or robots, we find our main character’s fate to be the same. As she turns around, everything about her is as alluring as the previous 1.5 hours except that her eyes are coal black and completely soulless. This was a creepy scene in my opinion. The last few minutes take place in a grocery store where a new family is having a conversation much like that of our main family when they arrive. Because we know what’s happening, we pity the family as they argue whilst being passed by what is unbeknownst to them soulless, robotic Stepford wives.
The Lockwood-Mattews Mansion and The Stepford Wives
I’m going to say it again. I dig this film. The Stepford Wives has been added to my watch again and again list. You can read about the filming locations in depth here and be prepared for some cool ones. The Lockwood-Matthews Mansion is the premiere place though. You can read an enlightening article here on this railroad tycoon mansion that required a ton of coal a day. There’s too much to put in this blog, read the article. You will enjoy it. Has anyone been to any of these places before? Does anyone know anything about potential Disney references? Is the book better than the movie? Please let me know in the comments. While you’re on my page, check out my artwork and photography here. You can read more of my blogs here and follow me on all social media here. All likes, shares, subs, and follows are appreciated.