Arthur Miller's own screen adaptation of his searing play about the
Salem witchhunts ends up an only patchily powerful affair in the hands
of Hytner. Contemporary resonance has faded since the McCarthy era,
while the decision to expand the role of Abigail as a credible vehicle
for Ryder was unwise. Her infatuation with Proctor (Day-Lewis) should
simply set the wheels of persecution in motion for the community, but
their relationship instead looms distractingly large. Very good
things on the periphery, above all the poignantly embittered Allen as
Proctor's unjustly accused wife, but Hytner's swirling camera seems a
uneasy affectation and the leading performances are far from perfect.
