Poor Steve Zallian

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Mainstream reporters whose stories are printed in newspapers which are then hand-delivered to newsstands and newspaper vending machines by guys in trucks...these reporters and their editors really love pointing out that Steve Zallian's All The King's Men was a huge debacle. The difference this time is that L.A. Times writer Scott Martelle got to talk to Zallian, the poor guy, and take his photo even. Look at the expression he's wearing. It's glum but in a kind of enigmatic, late-afternoon, verging-on-Mona Lisa way.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on October 3, 2006 at 6:04 PM

comment #1

Ron Cossey says ...

Martelle's ending paragraph pretty much sums up the sad state of the Hollywood cinema -- "Given the current political climate, one would think -- as does Zaillian -- that Warren's core exploration of means and ends would resonate today. But apparently not as much as Johnny Knoxville's JACKASS antics."

Posted by Ron Cossey at October 3, 2006 7:40 PM

comment #2

rr3333 says ...

How much did this stinker cost?

Posted by rr3333 at October 3, 2006 8:44 PM

comment #3

fnt says ...

I'm guessing Ron Cossey hasn't seen SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS.

Posted by fnt at October 3, 2006 11:08 PM

comment #4

donnyboy says ...

Zaillian, 53, who had not read the book until approached to take on the project. "It's a great book to read for the first time."

This guy is 53 and just read the book for the first time? Also, it sounds like he only read it once.

That could be a problem...when trying to adapt it.

He made a killing 7 figures plus on American Gangster... I think he will survive (sigh....) God speed Steve....Stay strong!

Posted by donnyboy at October 3, 2006 11:25 PM

comment #5

Kristopher Tapley says ...

Yeah, these aimless "'All the King's Men' bombed, let's kick them while their down" pieces are getting excessive, pointless and certainly vacant of news...

Posted by Kristopher Tapley at October 3, 2006 11:39 PM

comment #6

le corbeau says ...

"one would think -- as does Zaillian -- that Warren's core exploration of means and ends would resonate today"

It would, in a movie that explored them in a new and penetrating way.

Instead of making the umpteenth Huey Long movie, he should have adapted that new biography of Henry Ward Beecher. There's a character with a striking contemporary analogue...

Posted by le corbeau at October 4, 2006 6:52 AM

comment #7

lesterg says ...

I'm with Kris. The movie was a creative/financial disappointment with a-list talent involved. It's certainly a legitimate story, but we're approaching "beating a dead horse" levels now.

Posted by lesterg at October 4, 2006 8:52 AM

comment #8

actionman says ...

wow, so a genius-level talent makes one flop movie and people shit all over him. This site is begining to disgust me, all of you haters need to pull your heads out of your asses. I'd love to see ANY of you fools try and write something as incredible as ANY of Zaillian's previous efforts. Everything from The Mission Impossible movies to Black Hawk Down to Bobby Fisher to A Civil Action to Schinler's List to the Jack Ryan movies to Gangs of New York to Hannibal...this guy is one of the PREMIERE go-to writers in Hollywood and for just cause...he's a phenomenal writer. I haven't seen All The Kings Men yet but plan too...I just cannot imagine that the movie is as bad as everyone says it is.

Posted by actionman at October 4, 2006 11:30 AM

comment #9

christian says ...

actionman, you realize there's no killer robots or cg jumping right? i hope you see this after your second downing of JACKASS 2...

Posted by christian at October 4, 2006 12:43 PM

comment #10

Jeremy Smith says ...

ALL THE KING'S MEN is more thoughtful and visually stimulating than almost every film I've seen this fall. I'll take a flawed Zaillian flick over an uncontested layup like THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND or THE QUEEN any day.

Posted by Jeremy Smith at October 4, 2006 12:58 PM

comment #11

actionman says ...

what are u talking about Christian? I was defending Zaillian, not incessantly attacking him like so many others are. the guy has been one of my favorites for years so I will certainly catch this one, even if it turns out to be one of his lesser efforts. but i have spoken to a few people--not critics mind you--who have seen it and they all say the same thing: it's a good movie, wants to be great, but nowhere near the bomb that everyone made it out to be.

Posted by actionman at October 4, 2006 2:17 PM

comment #12