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`Mary Reilly' spins an old story new

Even if you've never read or seen a version, the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is enough a part of our popular culture that you probably already know it.

"Mary Reilly" offers this familiar tale with a twist.

At the start, Dr. Jekyll has completed his greatest experiment -- a cure for his sick, divided nature that turns him into two separate people (representing the duality of human nature) -- the intelligent, reserved doctor and his uncontrollable, violent assistant, Mr. Hyde.

The story is presented throug h is housemaid, Mary as she gradually gets drawn in; She uncovers his secret and is forced to share in his frightening experience.

The film is interesting and unexpected. It has little of the gore or dramatic special effects that characterize horror remakes. Instead, it has a quiet, introverted terror.

Filmmakers keep the familiar plot interesting by interweaving it with Mary's life and childhood memories of her father's sexual abuse. The stories provide nice parallels of the disturbing capacities of the human personality.

Technique keeps the story visually engaging. Dark passageways, dead animals and disjointed body parts are symbols that give an ominous, unsettling feel to the film. I haven't read the novel by Valerie Martin, so I don't know if it is an adaptation of the literary symbolism, but it's very cinematically effective.

The cinematography is moody with dark lighting and washed-out blue and brown tones. The film has a gritty dreariness rather than a glamorous, polished look that fits the sad, hopeless plot line.

Malkovich plays both Jekyll and Hyde. It's a little hard to buy that none of the servants can tell Hyde is really Jekyll with different hair. Presumably, they have worked for him for years, while we, as viewers, can figure out the secret in five minutes. Oh well, suspension of disbelief and all that.

Yet, with John Malkovich as incredible as he is, it's a bonus to have him play more than one role. As far as I'm concerned, he can play the whole cast, including Julia Roberts (Does anybody mind if I just refer to her as the lucky bitch who gets to date Chandler?).

Actually, in all fairness, she is really good, too. It's nice to see her with a part that lets her capitalize on her acting skills instead of just her looks.

Glenn Close also puts in an appearance as Mrs. Farraday, madame of the local brothel. I couldn't help wishing they would forget themselves and accidentally launch into a scene from "Dangerous Liaisons," but, unfortunately, she and Malkovich don't interact very much.

The film's only weakness is when it becomes a love story. The victimized servant girl drawn to the violent sexuality of her master is a little old and, personally, doesn't do much for me.