The Road (Movie)

[Brian SD]

I was just informed that it's coming this November and promptly went to find some images, but wasn't quite expecting this actor to have a part.

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1558680576/tt0898367

Awesome. This movie's gonna be a hit.

 

[redgrail]

One of my favorite reads these past couple of years. It looks like they're doing a decent job of making it into a movie. Casting looks brilliant: Viggo is perfect for this part, and Charlize and Duval will do a good job as well. It looks like they didn't go overboard on the post-apocalyptic thing from the pictures - good. I always feared they would make it too sci-fi to connect properly with the characters. I'm excited to see this when it comes out.

 

[dfagdfsh]

I just have trouble seeing how they could adapt this book in to a movie and remain true to its content. I have a feeling this is going to turn into some stupid PG-13 action movie with a happy ending =/

 

[Nouveau Pauvre]

Originally Posted by Teger

I just have trouble seeing how they could adapt this book in to a movie and remain true to its content. I have a feeling this is going to turn into some stupid PG-13 action movie with a happy ending =/

I find that highly unlikely - they would have to pretty much ignore the book to get it like that.

 

[dfagdfsh]

Originally Posted by Magician

I find that highly unlikely - they would have to pretty much ignore the book to get it like that.
May I present I Am Legend

Do you really see them greenlighting a scene where Viggo stumbles on to a basement of people with missing limbs, trapped and harvested for food by cannibals, and then just walk away?

 

[dusty]

Originally Posted by Teger

May I present I Am Legend

Do you really see them greenlighting a scene where Viggo stumbles on to a basement of people with missing limbs, trapped and harvested for food by cannibals, and then just walk away?

This is not a Will Smith movie. It's not even going to be wide release initially. I doubt very seriously that scene will be altered.

I'm ok with the Viggo pick, though in a way I wish they would have picked a no-name. Plus Viggo doesn't really look like he's anyone's Dad, while in the book, the fact that The Man is a father is the most relevant fact about him.

 

[MetroStyles]

The book was was enjoyable - great setting and mood, but weak on character development. It will be interesting to see how they transfer this to the big screen. The biggest key will be changing the feel from "drawn out, hopeless wandering with little plot" to a film with good pacing (beginning, plot development, climax, denouement).

 

[Nouveau Pauvre]

^ IMHO McCarthy trancends character development. I happen to find his characters highly realistic but they are far from the focus of his work. He tends to walk the tightrope btween metaphor and flesh-and-blood with his characters: it's quite a feat.

Mr. McCarthy has grander things in mind then simple human pathos.

 

[Willsw]

The book was simple enough in the right ways for there to be a strong movie with little change or compromise. John Hillcoat's previous films (the two non-musical) seem appropriate for the type of movie we're hoping this will be.

 

[MetroStyles]

Originally Posted by Magician

^ IMHO McCarthy trancends character development. I happen to find them highly realistic but they are far from the focus of his work.

Mr. McCarthy has grander things in mind then simple human pathos.

I agree with you as to what his goals and ambitions are in his writing, but I personally prefer stronger character development. After all, characters are the medium through which we relate to literature. That being said, I did say that I enjoyed the book and will try and see the film.

 

[dfagdfsh]

imo the book (like all of his books) isn't character-driven, with the landscape of the country serving as the primary protagnist

 

[Connemara]

I'm about to read Blood Meridian. I hope to get around to The Road before I see the film.

 

[Jekyll]

I'm looking forward to it. I heard Nick Cave is doing the soundtrack.

 

[Brian SD]

Originally Posted by Jekyll

I'm looking forward to it. I heard Nick Cave is doing the soundtrack.

A request from Hillcoat, no doubt.

I'm not sure what you could expect out of the Road in terms of character development. I just don't see how you could place it into the story. Everything is written so plainly and starkly that it would feel out of place to throw in some kind of climactic change of character.

Obviously the son becomes stronger as the book progresses, and the man is getting closer and closer to realizing what will happen.

Also, to make a happy ending I don't think they'd have to change much. In my mind, the book's ending was perfectly happy.

 

[mr. magoo]

Originally Posted by Brian SD

Also, to make a happy ending I don't think they'd have to change much. In my mind, the book's ending was perfectly happy.

Agreed -- it ended on an upbeat, which is relative to the rest of the book.

I thought the book was quite manipulative and, at times, absurd. But the gaps in the story I think will be harder to see in a film. I suspect it'll be good. I'm getting sick just thinking about it.