Hello Gentle Reader
Six different storylines; six different characters; six different styles – all written in a complex narrative that takes place over six different time periods. It was a complex novel, which defied genre and convention. Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and yet lost to Alan Hollinghurst’s novel “The Line of Beauty.” It mystified readers, and provoked thought. At times frustrating and challenging, other times, fast paced and entertaining. When I had first read this book, I was delighted at how the author had changed his voice, but also how he had changed the narrative structure of the book, to focus on the characters’ lives who like different colours on a string spun on their own axis but eclipsed and were eclipsed by one another. My first thoughts at hearing that this amazing novel was going to be turned into a film were of a bitter pessimist. How could any director any writer or producer, ever grasp the complexities of this novel. How could they be able to shift or present a complex narrative in the constraints in which a film is obliged to obey? Of course I thought the project was impossible and would never be able to truly grasp the meaning and the wonders of the book. Such judgement came too early.
The film was able to translate and transcribe (for the most part) quite a bit of the book into a film. They did not try to film a book into a film; but they stayed true to the book, in its own theme’s and characters and most importantly story. It is an ambitious project. Thirteen actors playing different roles, which are main and minor; some making cameos and appearances in each other. Allowing for a feeling of a very small world, where lives and identities transcend the confides of time, and are forever recycled in an endless cycle.
Such large names in the film business have their names attached to this film. Actors: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant, Susan Sarandon. Directors: Lana and Andy Wachowski (The Wachowski Brothers) and the German born director Tom Tyker. With a budget of one hundred and two million dollars, this film is noted for being one of the most expensive independent films ever made. However it has polarized critics.
The film is fragmented, and allows for brief episodes and snippets of a certain part of one of the six different story lines, to be placed in an order, that would allow for just enough emotional engagement of the characters and a bit of a grasp of the understanding of the story lines before moving on or moving back in some cases. In many ways the film, in some ways it takes the form of a memory game. Remember the different face, and the name goes with it, remember their play in the plot, their role their act. It becomes quite the puzzle – much like the book. Only to come to an end, with some answers given, other questions left roaming.
There are many memorable quotes in this film. Many memorable moments. Like a metaphysical question it allows one to ask themselves where they fit in, in their own life but now also in the lives of others. How acts of simple charity but also how the acts of malice, all influence the lives of others. From cheating someone to being cheated oneself, the acts can have very deep repercussions.
The visuals of this film are stunning. They are a must see. The acting is phenomenal. Though there is not a lot of emotional depth that can be grasped in this film from the characters. The fleeting moments that one can grasp the characters, are taken away just as fast as they are given. However besides its faults, that do come here and there – the film still a wonderful pleasure of the eyes, and the story resonates. Some may find it confusing, without the book as a rough map through this territory; it is till manageable. Though the acting of Tom Hanks in the story of Zachary in “Sloosha's Crossin' an' Ev'rythin' After,” maybe difficult to understand because the accents are thick (really thick like in the novel) and when spoken they are much harder to understand. I still would go see this film a second time and a third time and a fourth time if possible; and when it comes out on to DVD I will again buy it and watch it, continually. For the first time, in a long time to if ever; I feel that the book and the film are on par on their own merits. Not a lot was changed, and what was changed was done so for cinematic reasons. In the end however, it turned out to be quite a good show. Usually the best films are done by the film directors and their own stories and their own ideas. Originality – even if it is at times repeating something else, still has more life and blood in it, rather than an adaption – at least in most cases; and sometimes there are surprising revelations.
Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader
Take Care
And As Always
Stay Well Read
*And Remember: Downloading Books Illegally is Thievery and Wrong.*
M. Mary
