The story, LeGuin's story, was good. The idea is that a guy, George Orr, can just make things happen if he dreams them. A psychologist attempts to take control of this ability, resulting in multiple adjustments of reality which are randomly good and bad. Stuff like eliminating racism makes all people gray, for example. One can go a little bit more metaphysical and consider that the psychologist is actually a person in a reality dreamed of by George, so its all, in a sense about him, not about the world.
The film, however, would have felt dated even in 1980, I think. The plot follows the story faithfully - after all Ursula LeGuin consulted on the movie - but doesn't bring anything new.
Bottom line: a very intriguing and thought provoking idea, but a less stellar adaptation.
The film, however, would have felt dated even in 1980, I think. The plot follows the story faithfully - after all Ursula LeGuin consulted on the movie - but doesn't bring anything new.
Bottom line: a very intriguing and thought provoking idea, but a less stellar adaptation.
