    
Bayou Lights
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Votes: 0 | | Posted on Sunday, December 22, 2002 - 11:38 pm: | |
Hey, Ya'll...
Glad this thread sparked so many responses. I remember it being popular on the old board so I wanted to get some of that life back. I'm trying to think of a good thread for tomorrow.
Anyway, I agreed with quite a few opinions here but didn't see all the movies. I haven't seen Reign of Fire, Beloved or Sum of All Fears so I can't comment, but I always thought it would be damn near impossible to bring such a dense, emotionally intimate book like "Beloved" to screen succcessfully. Because of that same reason it took me a long time to see the Color Purple. I liked it, cried like a baby, even though Spielberg is usually way too corny for my tastes.
Devil in a Blue dress has to be one of my favorite adaptations and besides the performances, I thought Carl Franklin was an excellent choice as director. He showed a real respect and appreciation of the source material. And, whew, di Don Cheadle kill the part of Mouse or what. He was phenomenal.
I understand that movies have to be different, and if you're a writer who can't understand that then you should not sell the film rights. Something always has to be sacrificed and Murphy's Law says it'll be that one thing you loved the most.
Kola, I have not read your book, but it seems exactly the sort of project that would be a shadow of itself on screen. I went to a panel in Santa Monica a couple years ago that featured screenwriters and book authors. Very interesting evening...the book authors had all sold books for film, but each of them stated that they'd refused to sell the ones closest to their hearts. They loved all their books but each had one that was so "personal" they just couldn't bear to let it go. Of course, this made Hollywood throw more and more money at them but they stuck to their guns. Michael Ondatje, "English Patient" was there and he said his experience with Saul Zaentz was unusual in that the filmmakers wanted him, the book author, involved at every point. Usually you get your check and no one wants to talk to you anymore, don't even get invited to the premiere...
"Stella" I have to say was more engaging on film than on the page, "Disappearing Acts" (my fav McMillan) was a decent adaptation but I thought Wesley was miscast. I enjoyed "Lesson Before Dying" - thought it was a thoughtful, series interpretation because that's what it is at the end of the day, an interpretation of another art form.
Bayou |