Of Mice and Men Movie Analysis Essay Example

“Guys like us that work on ranches are the loneliest guys in the world. They ain't got no family and they don't belong no place.” Said, George. John Steinbeck wrote the award-winning fictional- tragedy novella, Of Mice and Men, in 1937. The book was turned into a movie in 1992 by Gary Sinise and John Malkovich. The book is about two farmers, George and Lennie who travel together and are best friends. They travel to a new farm, with a dream to get enough money and get a piece of their own land. Lennie accidentally kills the boss’s son’s wife, which results in George killing Lennie. Of Mice and Men displays the theme of Loneliness and Friendship and The Dream. In the quote above you can see how a friendship as strong as George and Lennie, is very lonely. The movie Of Mice and Men shows greater detail on the symbolism, and themes of the story. 

In the movie Of Mice and Men, there were many artistic changes. There were parts of the movie that were different than the book. George and Lennie came from an old job in Weed. They were forced to leave because Lennie was accused of rape. In the movie the girl and the rest of the workers were chasing George and Lennie, not searching for them. I believe that the directors chose this artistic change because it draws you into the movie. At the end of the story George kills Lennie, and the book is over. However, in the movie, after George kills Lennie there is a scene of them walking off “into the sunset” together. I believe that the directors chose to do this to symbolize them leaving behind their dream and them leaving behind their friendship. This shows that their dream isn’t becoming a reality and created an overall symbolism and emotions towards the movie and the characters. 

The actors in the movie Of Mice and Men were selected very well. They all appeared just as the book says. George is short and small and wears farm-like clothes. Lennie is huge and bald and looks a little mentally disabled. Curley’s Wife wore long dresses and had fluffy hair. Crooks had a crooked back and he was black. The acting was flawless. Lennie was so convincing, John Malkovich portrayed Lennie’s mental disabilities so well. Sherilyn Fenn portrayed Curley’s Wife’s loneliness just the right amount. It was subtle and really gave you a feel for her. Ray Walston portrayed Candy’s sweet and sour sides. Casey Slemaszko was really good at showing his concern for his wife and showing his anger. I believe the best acting in the movie was the friendship between George and Lennie. They had such a complicated yet, loving relationship.