Their Eyes Were Watching GOD

Upon hearing that a movie was made about Their Eyes Were Watching GOD which was written by Zora Neale Hurston the first thought I had was which actress could portray Janie if she was as beautiful as the novel described her to be. I was anxious to see. When I saw Halle Berry (at the peak of her beauty) I knew they made the right choice. She did a wonderful job portraying Janie. She brought to life Janie's stunning beauty, her connection with nature, her gentle spirit, and her charisma that drawed men towards her. After reading the novel I didn't think that highly of Janie but after seeing the movie I felt better about her.

The metaphors in this movie that were more obvious were the one with nature (flower blloming)that symbolized Janie's development from a girl to becoming a woman. Another one was where she and Tea Cake were dancing and the lady placed some food in her hand and a red substance that looked like blood was sliding down her hand. To me this symbolized the tragedy that befell Tea Cake.

There were several differences between the movie and the novel: Logan Killicks spoiling Janie in the novel whereas she was working in the movie, Tea Cake never abused her in the movie but he did in the novel, Tea Cake gambling Janie's money away and not recovering it in the movie versus him having a "party" and recovering it in the novel, the trial was described in the novel whereas there was not even a brief mention of it in the movie. Also in the movie, there was no mention or appearance by Mrs. Turner and her light skinned brother that she was trying to get Janie to meet.There were other differences but they are too numerous too mention. The reasons for these differences is because of time considerations. This movie could have easily been a mini-series.

I believe that the message that Zora Neale Hurston wanted to share with her audience is that you should live your life to the fullest without regrets instead of playing it safe like her grandmother wanted her to by marrying the very old Logan Killicks in a loveless marriage or by marrying Joe Starks because he could take care of her. What she is telling us is that we should marry for love and live our life to the fullest.