Adapting for the screen
I’d mentioned earlier that I rarely like an adaption of a book for the screen. The exception is The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. The film, although different from the book in a number of details, is brilliant. It’s faithful to the story and beautifully cast and acted. The sound composition underscores the chilly nature of the author’s theme. What works is story, story, story, which is what Robert McKee and Christopher Vogler emphasize in their screenwriting workshops. I wonder what Hollywood will bring to this story that’ll be different? When you’ve already got a good thing, why play with it?
I thought the foreign film versions of this trilogy were excellent. The starring role was so well cast and, as often with foreign films, they chose people who could act and not just stand around looking glamorous or posturing for the camera. I think it’s a total waste of money and time for Hollywood to remake these–but yet so typical of their narrow, limited vision of what people want in a film (unless you happen to be a young guy who likes food fights, discussions about bodily functions, and vastly over-rated movies about action figures). But then, gosh, I’m just a person who likes strong story and character-driven films with an emotional component I can learn from!
Thank you for the intelligent comment. I agree whole heartedly. As my grandson is a big fan of David Fincher who will be directing the Hollywood version of The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo I’ll reserve judgment until I see it. But frankly, I won’t be rushing to the theatre.