comment #1

frankbooth says ...

This film will either go gangbusters or completely flop. It might be a little too close to home, considering the current crisis, but you can never tell if that's gonna be an asset or a liability at the box-office. Look at The China Syndrome.

Personally, I can't wait. I think it's one of the best matches of director-to-material in recent memory.

comment #2

Rich S. says ...

Though I have complete faith in all those involved, particularly Hillcoat and Mortensen, I have no earthly idea how they're going to make this into a movie. If possible, the novel is even more relentlessly depressing than The Proposition. That's when anything is happening at all, since much of the book involves the man and his son sitting around talking.

Don't get me wrong, the book was terrific. But it was not exactly "theatrical." No Country for Old Men was practically Star Wars by comparison. I'll see it opening weekend, but I don't have high hopes for its box office take.

comment #3

Edward says ...

I agree with Rich S. Very good book, but there must be a major rewrite to have all of these "stars."

comment #4

thebuddha says ...

To both Rich S and Edward:

I think much of the exposition of the book can be truncated into filmable scenes. The theatrical parts are the many encounters with other survivors, as well as the scenes of survival and rummaging in the barren landscape.

Also, if anything, I thought that while the book was relentless and punishing in its portrayal of post-apocalyptic America, the ending was much, much more hopeful and inspiring than No Country. Just my opinion, though
And I love, love LOVE the all the parties involved with this project. Should be an absolute gem of a pic. Editing will be an extremely tough and important task however, and this might be what is leading to the delays.

comment #5

frankbooth says ...

I wonder if this is one of those cases where the suits greenlit a project based on the names and Oprah's endorsement of the book, without really knowing what they were getting into.

When they heard "post-apocalyptic/Viggo Mortensen," they thought they were getting Mad Max IV, not Waiting for Godot with cannibals. Now they're saying "how the fuck do we sell THIS?"

comment #6

actionman says ...

Haven't read the book so don't know any of the particulars, nor do I want to know, until I see the film.

But from what I have read about it, The Road sounds like this year's Children of Men (minus the war-action). And I mean that in a great way -- Children of Men is a masterwork.

The Road feels like the kind of apocalyptic downer that critics will love and audiences (at least in the U.S.) will have no use for.

comment #7

actionman says ...

just saw this link over at Tapley's site:

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2008/10/the_road.html

it's a little spoilery (a little annoying but what can you do) but the major beats aren't discussed

THIS FILM SOUNDS INCREDIBLE

comment #8

Gordie Lachance says ...

I'd put winning the Pulitzer Prize a few steps ahead of Oprah's Book Club, but that's just me.

PLENTY of action in this book. More than enough for a 2 hour movie. It's just not as broad in scope as a traditional novel (which would have to be cut to shreds and consolidated to be filmable).

Without getting into spoliers, the ending is wonderful, in a melancholy, cycle-of-life type of way. Those of you who go to movies to "escape" or "forget" can go cram a print of Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 up your lame asses.

Having said all that, I've never understood the way that Hollywood snaps up rights to best-selling novels.

Even if half of the 2-3 million readers went to the theater that would only equate to 10-15 million in box office, which is a bomb, I think. Doesn't make sense.

comment #9

Ross says ...

I'm dying to see this... my most anticipated film of the year. But if it's supposedly coming out in the next two months, where's the trailer? That tells me they're pushing it back.

comment #10

alynch says ...

The only real star of the film is Viggo. Theron has a supporting part and Pearce & Duvall's roles are cameos.

comment #11

frankbooth says ...

The suits, Gordie, the suits.

I doubt they even know what the Pulitzer IS.

comment #12

scooterzz says ...

i've been saying since first reading the book that it appears to be a set up for a franchise...without going into spoilers, the ending has all the 'tells' of leading to a sequel.....