Jekyll & Hyde (1990)

(In French, On Cable TV, October 2021) If you’re looking for the biggest distinction between the 1990 TV movie’s take on Jekyll & Hyde when compared to other versions, the best I can offer you is Michael Caine in the lead roles. It makes sense that actors would regularly want to measure themselves up against one of the most famous dual roles in classic literature—some have gone for heavy makeup, others just acting to distinguish both alter egos. This version, made for ABC television network, is nicely executed: the production values are strong, Caine is having a lot of fun in bladder makeup and the perverse romantic angle is juiced up. It’s psychologically developed to the 1990s standards of TV filmmaking and showcases an interesting angle on the usual story. It’s important to note that, at this point, I don’t evaluate Jekyll & Hyde movies on their individual basis as a vehicle for the story: I’m more interested in how they differ from other takes, or how the actor distinguishes himself from the tradition set by Barrymore, March, Tracy and others. This one certainly isn’t perfect: timid in some areas, too wild in others (that ending stinger is just silly). But Caine as Jekyll and Hyde? Worth seeing.