It helps the film if the novel is both good and cinematic. But it still takes artists on the film end, too...see examples ranging from THE MALTESE FALCON to THE HAUNTING to THE SWIMMER...
I rented DRIVE because Ryan Gosling was in it and I find him a fascinating young actor. I knew nothing about the movie: hadn't read a review, didn't read much of the blurb on the DVD box before I rented it. Just knew it was a crime thriller with Gosling in it. The movie really took me by surprise. Such tenderness and brutality living side by side in one movie. Some of the most relentless scenes of violence I've seen in a long time. That face bashing/kicking/beating in the elevator. Wow!
Nelson DeMille's THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER was a good novel, but the movie version (with William Goldman's brilliant script) was even better.
ReplyDeleteIt helps the film if the novel is both good and cinematic. But it still takes artists on the film end, too...see examples ranging from THE MALTESE FALCON to THE HAUNTING to THE SWIMMER...
ReplyDeleteI rented DRIVE because Ryan Gosling was in it and I find him a fascinating young actor. I knew nothing about the movie: hadn't read a review, didn't read much of the blurb on the DVD box before I rented it. Just knew it was a crime thriller with Gosling in it. The movie really took me by surprise. Such tenderness and brutality living side by side in one movie. Some of the most relentless scenes of violence I've seen in a long time. That face bashing/kicking/beating in the elevator. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI found that scene almost impossible to watch. The submerged beast rears its head.
ReplyDeletePatti - It is indeed rare when a book and a movie are both really well-done. I can only think of a handful of examples myself.
ReplyDeleteWell they are three favorites, Todd. The gold standard.
ReplyDelete