Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004).
Coming Out at 16 December 2004 in theaters
“A Series of Unfortunate Events”
Adventure, Comedy, Family
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is gothic dark comedy film directed by Brad Silberling. It is a film adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, covering the first three novels: The Bad Beginning, The Reptile Room, and The Wide Window. The film stars Jim Carrey, Liam Aiken, Emily Browning, Timothy Spall, Catherine O’Hara, Billy Connolly, Cedric the Entertainer, Luis Guzmán, Jennifer Coolidge, and Meryl Streep, as well as Jude Law as Lemony Snicket (the pen name of American writer Daniel Handler).
Nickelodeon Movies purchased the film rights to Daniel Handler’s book series in 2000 and soon began development of a film with Barry Sonnenfeld attached to direct. Handler adapted the screenplay and courted Jim Carrey for Count Olaf. Sonnenfeld eventually left over budget concerns in January 2003 and Brad Silberling took over. Robert Gordon rewrote Handler’s script, and principal photography started in November 2003. A Series of Unfortunate Events was entirely shot using sound stages and backlots at Paramount Pictures and Downey Studios. The film received positive reviews, with many praising its production values and performances (particularly Carrey’s performance), while some criticized its comical tone and short length – only focusing on the first three books in the series. The film also grossed $209 million worldwide and won the Academy Award for Best Makeup.
After visiting the graves of the Baudelaire children, Lemony Snicket begins working on their story in a clock tower.
Fourteen-year-old inventor Violet Baudelaire, her twelve-year-old bibliophile brother Klaus, and their mordacious baby sister Sunny are orphaned after a mysterious fire destroys their home and kills their parents. Mr. Poe, the family’s banker, manages their affairs and leaves them in the care of their closest relative Count Olaf. Olaf is intent upon obtaining their family fortune, which will remain in the custody of the bank until Violet comes of age. He forces them to do chores and belittles them.
Director: Brad Silberling
Writers: Robert Gordon, Daniel Handler (books)
Stars: Jim Carrey, Jude Law, Meryl Streep, Liam Aiken, Emily Browning, Timothy Spall, Catherine O’Hara, Billy Connolly
Cast:
| Jim Carrey | … | Count Olaf |
| Liam Aiken | … | Klaus |
| Emily Browning | … | Violet |
| Kara Hoffman | … | Sunny |
| Shelby Hoffman | … | Sunny |
| Jude Law | … | Lemony Snicket (voice) |
| Timothy Spall | … | Mr. Poe |
| Catherine O’Hara | … | Justice Strauss |
| Billy Connolly | … | Uncle Monty |
| Meryl Streep | … | Aunt Josephine |
| Luis Guzmán | … | Bald Man |
| Jamie Harris | … | Hook-Handed Man |
| Craig Ferguson | … | Person of Indeterminate Gender |
| Jennifer Coolidge | … | White Faced Woman |
| Jane Adams | … | White Faced Woman |
| Cedric the Entertainer | … | Constable |
| Bob Clendenin | … | Grocery Clerk |
| Lenny Clarke | … | Gruff Grocer |
| Fred Gallo | … | Judge |
| John Dexter | … | Gustav |
| Deborah Theaker | … | Mrs. Poe |
| Wayne Flemming | … | Captain Sam |
| Jaimarie Bjorge | … | Dream Gypsy |
| Helena Bonham Carter | … | Beatrice Baudelaire |
| Amy Brenneman | … | Mrs. Baudelaire |
| Paul Bunnell | … | Wedding Guest |
| Julius Callahan | … | Davidious Augustine / Bohemian |
| François Duhamel | … | French Radio Reporter (voice) |
| Rosemary Garris | … | Wedding Guest |
| Gilbert Gottfried | … | Duck (voice) |
| Paul G. Gray | … | Wedding Guest |
| Rick Heinrichs | … | Mr. Baudelaire |
| Alan Heitz | … | Police Photographer |
| Rob Hinderstein | … | Banker |
| Dustin Hoffman | … | The Critic |
| Michael Earl Lane | … | Ferry Boat Captain |
| Jane Lynch | … | Realtor |
| Betsy McIntyre | … | Wedding Guest |
| Nick Meaney | … | Voice over |
| Christopher Metas | … | Wedding Audience |
| Crystal Rivers | … | Bohemian #1 |
| Lidia Sabljic | … | Woman in Audience |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia