film adaptations

[Tyler Hewitt]

JenD wrote:
I have finally come to the sad realization that it's
possible that "Prisoner" may not come any closer to
the vision of JKR than "Chamber of Secrets" or
"Sorcerer's Stone." It's patently clear that the
directors, no matter how talented and how eloquent,
are not making these films for me, someone who's read
the books and desparately wants to see them come
alive. They are making action/adventure movies for
kids. The emotional core is just a subplot that
unfortunately, can't ever seem to be worked in very 
well. I thought it was just Chris Columbus who
couldn't seem to manage Harry being a real breathing
sometimes vulerable person. But now that I see there
is no Prof. Trelawny, possible no or very little 
quidditch, I realize that Cuaron seemingly must
sacrifice huge chunks of the plot as well to get a
movie made. For me the best hope is that, despite all
the sacrifices that must be made, he will still try 
to show Harry as a fuller character, with flaws and
self-doubts as well as courageous and brave. I try to
tell myself that bravery and courage as so much easier
to portray that it's obvious why those aspects of
Harry have always been emphasized. Now I just want to
see if Curaon is as good as they say at portraying
teen age angst...


ME:
I don't think there's EVER been a film adaptation of a
book that 1. is completely loyal to the source and 2.
didn't frustrate fans of the book.

I think that part of this is that written and visual
art mediums are just too different from each other as
to ensure a smooth transition. There's too much nuance
in a book, too much left open topersonal
interpretation, and too much left to the reader's
imagination (when I read I get visual images of what
locations and charecters look like) to ever allow for
a seamless adaptation.

After being frustrated myself on several occasions,
I've learned to accept this. As long as a film is
allowed to explore it's own creative space, related to
but not necessarily completely loyal to the source
book, I can live with it (even in extreme cases like
'A Clockwork Orange', a breathtaking, brilliant novel
and a hideous waste of celluloid as a film. I give
credit to Stanley Kubrick for pursuing his vision, but
he ruined a good story.). I think of films from
adapted novels as interpretations, like someone doing
a cover version of another's song. There's SUPPOSED to
be an interpretation occuring, not just an aping of
the original.  

Which brings me to the Potter films. I liked the first
one ok, it wasn't earth shattering, but it told the
story reasonably well and proved entertaining to fans
and newbies alike. The casting was inspired at times
(I love Alan Rickman as Snape, and can't imagine
anyone coming closer to how I imagine Ron than Rupert
Grint). The second film I found more problematic. The
special effects look better than in the first, but the
film seems hollow and unsatisfying. In trying to
follow the book as closely as possible it hasn't been
allowed to be a film in its own right. An uninspiring
script and coolie-cutter direction don't help.

I heard an interview on National Public Radio with
Terry Gilliam a couple of weeks ago. He said that JK
Rowling personally recruited him to be the director of
CoS. Of course it didn't go anywhere, Gilliam is way
too much of a rebel to be trusted by the major
studios. But I kept thinking, "my god! what that film
COULD HAVE been!".  Chris Columbus is like the
McDonald's of film directing. No surprises, the same
replicable blandness that will make the maximum amount
of money, and alas, no magic. I'm hoping that the new
director for PoA will break away some from what we've
seen so far and let the movie be something new and
original. I'm willing to sacrifice a few details from
the book were this to occur.

And if it does work, I hope the producers at Warner
Brothers wake up and hire Terry Gilliam to direct
'Goblet of Fire' (makes me drool just thinking of the
possibilities!).

Tyler


__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more
http://taxes.yahoo.com/