Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman’s film Howl (2010) is based on the poet Allen Ginsberg, his poem Howl and the obscenity trial that threatened its publication. I was expecting something more akin to a court room drama but the movie offered more than this and in an unusual style. It weaves together several different threads that establish a story about the nature of Ginsberg (James Franco). Disjointed, though not necessarily in a bad way, it traverses fictional interviews with Ginsberg, segments from his life, the unfolding court case, a poetry reading and animated sequences representative of the poem.

Though the animation sequences are incredible and do fall in line with the content of Ginsberg’s work, I couldn’t help but feel that the filmmakers were compelled to make poetry exciting. This may not have been their intention, but it is most apparent when the music picks up near the end of Howl. I often aim to value an adaptation for it’s own merits (a movie is not the book, etc.) but this is a rare occasion where the film stands to represent the work strongly – the poem is read out throughout the film. And though both the music and animation were well suited to the poem, these embellishments seemed to subtract from the reading rather than add to it.

The casting too, has left me with mixed feelings. Individually it is great casting, and I loved seeing Jon Hamm defend the work of Allen Ginsberg, the publishing industry, freedom of speech and America in general. But Jon Hamm opposite David Strathairn creates too clear of a dichotomy. It’s the most handsome man imaginable – he’s on our side, against a doddering old man who wants to punish Ginsberg. Terrific performances from both men really made this convincing, but while it was enjoyable it was also a little too close to the surface. Though smaller roles, both Jeff Daniels and Bob Balaban were great, and a pleasure to watch. Franco, as expected, was utterly commendable as Ginsberg and worth watching the film for. Howl’s merit lies in doing something different from the usual biopic film. Especially worth seeing if you would like to learn a little about Ginsberg, Howl and the trial.