amazing screenplay, mediocre film: Meet Joe Black

[niceguy21]

Hiya Guys,

I have read quite a few scripts now and one of my favourites has to be MJB by Bo Goldman. At the time I was unaware of his work or reputation, but I always tell people about how well crafted and how poetic it is. Does anybody agree with me here? Most people, especially 'literary' friends, shoot me down for this. Not that they have read it though.

If you haven't read the first ten pages....do.

I accept the film itself and possibly the screenplay lags on a little...perhaps it really should have been a novel? ....Your thoughts please.

nx

 

[wjm]

I just read the screenplay from start to finish on your recommendation. Awesome, just marvelous characters. I have seen the movie, and while it wasn't perfect, I thought they did pretty well with the material, but it's been years since I've seen it.

Something about having the audience know the secret, and Bill Parrish knows it, and nobody else knows that makes it work as well as it does. Also, the father-daughter stuff really hits home if you've had kids.

"Should I be afraid?"

"Not a man like you."

 

[Larry Rutledge]

I really enjoyed both the script and the film, thought both were very well done (though I know I'm in the minority on liking the film).

I experienced the amazing screenplay/mediocre film phenomenon with I AM SAM. I read the script and thought it was fantastic. Just loved it and couldn't wait to see the movie ... when I finally rented it, I had to force myself to watch it to the end. It wasn't a bad film, just wasn't what I envisioned while reading the script.

I had a similar experience with K-Pax

 

[Ted Spencer]

Hmm...I never read "Sam", but really liked the movie. It's always possible that the "imaginary" version of the movie (that you saw in your head) spoiled the real one. On the other hand, you're certainly entitled to just plain not like it : )

 

[Martay]

Hmm...It's always possible that the "imaginary" version of the movie (that you saw in your head) spoiled the real one.

I think that I did this with "Dogma" by Kevin Smith...I really liked the script a lot and then thought the movie was just okay.

Of course, being that I've been falling out of infatuation for Kevin Smith for some time might also be the reason as I'd read the script ages before the movie came out thanks to obtaining a copy at Dragon*Con....

Who knows.

-M