‘Lemony’ a bit too sour

JOHN DEPKO

This first attempt to bring the Lemony Snicket children’s books to

the screen is a very mixed bag in “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of

Unfortunate Events.”

The beginning of this film provides several snippets of real

innovation and charm. The detailed sets and cinematography produce a

surreal look that combines elements of Victorian England and 1950s

Americana with Gothic overtones.

The three orphaned children at the center of the tale are

amusingly presented as the avid Boy Reader, the Girl Inventor and the

Toddler Who Bites with Jaws of Steel. They will apply these traits

with good humor in the upcoming adventures.

Jim Carrey is over-the-top as a ham actor playing three roles.

Foremost is the outrageous and amoral Count Olaf. He gains custody of

the orphans as their nearest relative. But his only intention is to

eliminate them and take over the family fortune. There ensues “A

Series of Unfortunate Events” that soon take the audience down a

disconcerting and unpleasant path. In reality, there is only a single

unfortunate event that is monotonously repeated with different

characters continuously failing the children in their dilemma.

Carrey has fun playing his outlandish roles. Meryl Streep is a

crazy aunt who is like all the stupid adults in this picture: They

fail to understand the real danger the Count poses to the children.

The morbid nature of their peril gives a gloomy feel to the whole

enterprise. A 12-year-old viewer may find the kid’s triumph over the

dim-witted adults amusing. But the consistently dark side of this

alleged comedy is inappropriate for younger children. Adults will

become bored long after the initial novelty of the story fades away.

This film may be left with a very tiny target audience that can hope

to actually enjoy it.

* JOHN DEPKO is a Costa Mesa resident and a senior investigator

for the Orange County public defender’s office.