Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)

"Don't say we didn't warn you."

Directed by Brad Silberling
Produced by Walter Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, Jim Van Wyck
Screenplay by Robert Gordon
Based on "A Series of Unfortunate Events" by Lemony Snicket
Starring: Jim Carrey, Jude Law, Liam Aiken, Emily Browning, Timothy Spall, Catherine O'Hara, Billy Connolly, Cedric the Entertainer, Luis Guzmán, Jennifer Coolidge, Meryl Streep
Narrated by Jude Law
Music by Thomas Newman
Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki
Edited by Michael Kahn
Production companies: Nickelodeon Movies, Parkes/MacDonald Productions
Distributed by Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures
Release date: 17 December 2004 (United States)
Running time: 107 minutes
Country: United States
Budget: $140 million
Box office: $209.1 million

"Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" is a family adventure comedy film directed by Brad Silberling and adapted from the first three novels of "A Series of Unfortunate Events" by Lemony Snicket. It tells the story of three orphans delivered to the custody of cousin and stage actor Count Olaf, who is secretly plotting to steal their parents' vast fortune.

Cast

• Liam Aiken as Klaus Baudelaire
• Emily Browning as Violet Baudelaire
• Kara and Shelby Hoffman as Sunny Baudelaire
• Jim Carrey as Count Olaf / Mr. Stephano / Captain Sham
• Timothy Spall as Mr. Poe
• Jude Law as the voice of Lemony Snicket
• Billy Connolly as Dr. Montgomery Montgomery
• Meryl Streep as Josephine Anwhistle
• Catherine O'Hara as Justice Strauss
• Cedric the Entertainer as Constable
• Luis Guzmán as Bald Man
• Jamie Harris as The Hook-Handed Man
• Craig Ferguson as the Person of Indeterminate Gender
• Jane Adams and Jennifer Coolidge as the White-Faced Women
• Wayne Flemming as Captain Sam
• Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket) as the Photographer
• Deborah Theaker as Mrs. Poe

"Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events" is one of my favourite film from my childhood: the dark comedy full of serious moments. I'm not sure I understood its whole beauty when I was a kid, but now I see: the outstanding performance of Jim Carrey, grotesque characters and situations, wonderful music. Unfortunately, today I also note not very good acting of Emily Browning, too unrealistic visual effects. But these reasons aren't really convincing to tell you not watch the film even once - you may love it, I promise.

Advantages

• Jim Carrey as Count Olaf / Mr. Stephano / Captain Sham
• Timothy Spall as Mr. Poe
• Jude Law as the voice of Lemony Snicket
• Billy Connolly as Dr. Montgomery Montgomery
• Meryl Streep as Josephine Anwhistle
• Music
• Dark story

Disadvantages

• Special effects
• Visual effects
• Overacted moments

"Strangenesses"

• Marriage of Olaf and Violet

Clue Moments

• Parents' death
• The train
• Curdled Cave
• The Incredibly Deadly Viper
• Leeches
• The marriage
• The letter

Soundtracks

1. Thomas Newman - The Bad Beginning
2. Thomas Newman - Chez Olaf
3. Thomas Newman - The Baudelaire Orphans
4. Thomas Newman - In Loco Parentis
5. Thomas Newman - Resilience
6. Thomas Newman - The Reptile Room
7. Thomas Newman - An Unpleasant Incident Involving A Train
8. Thomas Newman - Curdled Cave
9. Thomas Newman - Puttanesca
10. Thomas Newman - Curious Feeling Of Falling
11. Thomas Newman - Regarding The Incredibly Deadly Viper
12. Thomas Newman - The Marvelous Marriage
13. Thomas Newman - Lachrymose Ferry
14. Thomas Newman - Concerning Aunt Josephine
15. Thomas Newman - Vfd
16. Thomas Newman - The Wide Window
17. Thomas Newman - Cold As Ike
18. Thomas Newman - Hurricane Herman
19. Thomas Newman - Snaky Message
20. Thomas Newman - The Regrettable Episode Of The Leeches
21. Thomas Newman - Interlude With Sailboat
22. Thomas Newman - Verisimilitude
23. Thomas Newman - Loverly Spring
24. Thomas Newman - A Woeful Wedding
25. Thomas Newman - Attack Of The Hook-Handed Man
26. Thomas Newman - Taken By Surpreeze
27. Thomas Newman - One Last Look
28. Thomas Newman - The Letter That Never Came
29. Thomas Newman - Drive Away (End Title)

Quotations

* * *

Violet Baudelaire: It's the letter! The letter that never came!
[reading]
Violet Baudelaire: 'Dearest children - since we've been abroad we have missed you all so much. Certain events have compelled us to extend our travels. One day, when you're older, you will learn all about the people we have befriended and the dangers we have faced. At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe us when we say that there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough. And what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events may, in fact, be the first steps of a journey. We hope to have you back in our arms soon, darlings, but in case this letter arrives before our return, know that we love you. It fills us with pride to know that no matter what happens in this life, that you three will take care of each other, with kindness and bravery and selflessness, as you always have. And remember one thing, my darlings, and never forget it: that no matter where we are, know that as long as you have each other, you have your family. And you are home.'

* * *

Count Olaf: I must say, you are a gloomy looking bunch. Why so glum?
Klaus Baudelaire: ...Our parents just died.
Count Olaf: Ah yes, of course. How very, very awful. Wait! Let me do that one more time. Give me the line again! Quickly, while it's fresh in my mind!

Klaus Baudelaire: [uncertainly] Our parents just died?

Count Olaf: [gasps dramatically]
Sunny: [in baby talk] What a schmuck!

* * *

Violet Baudelaire: Dinner is served. Puttanesca.
Count Olaf: What did you call me?
Klaus Baudelaire: It's pasta... Pasta Puttanesca.
Count Olaf: Where's the roast beef?
Klaus Baudelaire: Roast beef?
Count Olaf: Beef, yes. Roast beef. It's the Swedish term for beef that is roasted!

* * *

Klaus Baudelaire: Do you think anything will ever feel like home again?
[Violet ties up her hair]
Lemony Snicket: [narrating] Sanctuary... is a word which here means a small, safe place in a troubling world. Like an oasis in a vast desert or an island in a stormy sea.

* * *

Count Olaf: Now that we're a family, I can be the ulll-timate DAD.

* * *

Klaus Baudelaire: You won't get a cent until Violet turns 18.
Count Olaf: Oh really... says who?
Klaus Baudelaire: The law. Look it up.

* * *

Klaus Baudelaire: This is ridiculous! Violet's only 14! She can't be legally married!
Count Olaf: She can if she has the permission of her guardian. And who's that? Oh, yes. Me!
[laughs maniacally]
Count Olaf: Look it up, bookworm!

* * *

Aunt Josephine: I hate it here.
Violet Baudelaire: Well, maybe, Aunt Josephine, you should think about moving.
Aunt Josephine: Oh, I could never, ever sell this house.
[pause]
Aunt Josephine: I'm terrified of realtors.
[flashback]
Realtor: Is this a bad time?
Aunt Josephine: Aaaaaaaaaaaah!

* * *

Count Olaf: Why aren't you orphans in the kitchen preparing dinner?
Violet Baudelaire: Dinner?
Count Olaf: It's the French word for the evening meal.

* * *

Count Olaf: All that I ask is that you do each and every little thing that pops into my head, while I enjoy the enormous fortune your parents left behind.

* * *

Klaus Baudelaire: Violet, nothing happens by coincidence.

* * *

Mr. Poe: Children, I'm afraid I must inform you of an extremely unfortunate event. I'm very, very sorry to tell you this but your parents have perished in a fire that has destroyed your entire home.

* * *

Klaus Baudelaire: Aunt Josephine?
Violet Baudelaire: Never heard of her.
Klaus Baudelaire: Doesn't it strike you odd that none of our relatives are related to us?

* * *

Count Olaf: I will raise these orphans as if they were actually wanted!

* * *

Violet Baudelaire: We are very concerned.

* * *

Klaus Baudelaire: Are you sure you tied your hair tight enough?

* * *

The Critic: [about toy plane on a string] I didn't know they had this budget!

* * *

The Detective: I thought I knew avant garde.
The Critic: I thought I knew avant garde.
The Detective: I know Avant Johnson.
The Critic: You know Avant Johnson? I used to shave his grandmother.

* * *

Count Olaf: You know, there's a big world out there filled with desperate orphans who would gladly swim across an ocean of thumbtacks just to be eclipsed by the long shadow that is cast by my accomplishments.

* * *

Sunny: You can't be buying this.

* * *

Klaus Baudelaire: Everything happens for a reason.

* * *

Lemony Snicket: This would be an excellent time to walk out of the theater, living room, or airplane where this film is being shown.

* * *
You may see the trailer here.

Plot: 6/10

Entertainment: 6/10

Acting: 6/10

Originality: 7/10

Music and Sound: 7/10

6/10