Bernice Bobs Her Hair

Description

Seen on PBS

Written By: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Starring: Shelly Duvall, Bud Cort ("Harold & Maude")

Description: It's the hot summer of 1919. Visiting her cousin Marjorie (Veronica Cartwright), sweet-but-dull Bernice (Shelly Duvall) is transformed into a smooth-talking man-trap by her vampish kin. However, the "make-over" works too well, Bernice becomes the belle of the ball, captivating every boy's interest…even Marjorie's boyfriend Warren (Bud Cort). The now worldly Bernice has the last laugh…a clever and ironic twist. One of the best screen translations of F. Scott Fitzgerald's literary work, Bernice also includes the delightful supporting role performances of Dennis Christopher ("Breaking Away") and Polly Holliday ("Alice").

DVD Extras: About the Author, Actors' Bios, About the American Short Story Collection, Henry Fonda Intro, Printable Study Guide

Customer Reviews:

Good adaptation; poor quality.......2007-01-12

This adaptation actually merits four stars; Shelley Duvall and Veronica Cartwright shine in their roles as Bernice and her more popular cousin Marjorie. Duvall is especially well-cast as the gawky, socially-inept outsider. The period details (furniture, clothing, hair) are exact and give this period piece authenticity so that when Bernice finally goes through with the title act, we can see why bobbing one's hair would be considered so shocking. The scene in the barbershop, where the audience just sees the horrified faces of the onlookers with the sound of scissors snipping away at Bernice's hair in the background, is the high point of the story.

The problem is with the DVD itself. This transfer looks as though it was pulled right off a set of film reels that had been sitting in a closet for years. There is an omnipresent hiss throughout the movie, the audio is muffled at times, and the picture looks washed out. The film should have been remastered before being put on the market; this production deserves a lot better.

Bernice.......2003-02-14

I thought the movie was good for class use, but I don't think I'd go and rent it or buy it so I could watch in again. It helped show what kind of a writer Scott Fitzgerald is. It seems to me like he must have met someone in his life that was with a lot of guys and kind of snotty because I've now seen 2 works of his writing and both of them had a girl in there that was like that. I thought it was very rude of Marjorie to pull that on Bernice. Marjorie got Bernice to cut her hair after she had everyone liking her. Then after she got it cut no one liked her anymore so she had fallen into peer pressure. It was really rude of her to get her talked into it then the people who she thought were her friends abandoned her. But, overall I thought the movie was interesting and funny.

Bernice Bobs Her Hair.......2003-02-14

I think that this story was one of the better movies that we have watched in our english classes. It kept you wondering what was gonna happen and you wanted so see the end because the people are so different than today. The people that are friends with Marjorie are all stuck up and stick to their own social group and when Bernice comes they all look down on her. Marjorie thinks that Bernice is ruining her summer so she teaches her to "fit in" with her people. Bernice tries hard but when she bobs her hair then everyone frowns on her again. I think this story is a good one to watch in class because it is funny and shows you how you shouldn't give into peer pressure.

Hilariously comical.......2003-02-14

Wow, what a movie. We watched this movie in english class. I laughed throughout the whole thing. The part of Bernice was played very well. I thought she fit the part. She was ditzy and ugly. I thought the part of marjorie was played well. She was pretty, self-centered, and very popular. She lured Bernice into a trap, but Bernice was not smart enough to realize it and she did not back out of bobbing her hair. In the end I thought it was funny how Marjorie's mom was all mad at Bernice.

The end has a nice little twist.

GREAT SHOW![.] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!...

Never the less it's a movie...........2003-02-14

I think that this movie was ok but not the best one but for ususl english class movies, I gave this one props! I thought that Burnice was one scary looking girl, I can compleatly understand why her Cuz had to ask people to dance with her! Well, that doesnt excuse Margiry for the way she acts, but then look at her mother? I was thought this movie was kinda funny. I was rather suprised that it indicated sexual indications and peerpresure things that are still happening today. Just like Brunice everyone is now pushing to be different and go agenst the grain. Plus she was mean and spitful when she cut of Margeri's hair.

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