I watched the movie, without having read the book, and thought the plot was rather boring. What was the theme of the book? I gather the theme was that sometimes we hold onto the past much too long.... Sometimes creating a fantasy in our head that we cannot escape.... Sort of like great expectations... except set in the past. Was I wrong? I like the theme if that was it, but the movie itself didn't interest me all that much. I thought the characters were well done, and created some interesting and awkward situations, but the story just wasn't that interesting to me. It just didn't wow me. Is the book much better? Did I miss something? What's the fuss over this novel? ------------------ humble, but hungry.
The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite classic books. The dialogue is beyond belief but that's what Fitzgerald was known for. There have been film adaptations in the past. The novel is just brilliantly written and the spoken parts really feel like you are there. This one and Tender is the Night are both classic Fitzgerald at his best. Fims rarely live up to the books. With a book, you have your mind to interpret many of the things that film does for you. You not only get the story but the actors' and director's vision and interpretation of the book, which isn't always what you might have thought when reading it. It isn't exactly a gripping story but it really isn't meant to be. It is more about subtelties and the awkwardness humans face all the time. That was played out perfectly in the book. If the film felt awkward at times (and you thought that was good), you'll really feel that in the book. ------------------ I am very very sleepy.
Oh, one more thing about film adaptations. The very first line of Gone With the Wind, the novel, is, "Scarlet O'Hara was not a beautiful woman" yet, Vivien Leigh was gorgeous. It's all in the interpretation. ------------------ I am very very sleepy.
I've read the book, but have only seen small parts of the movie. I didn't especially enjoy the novel, to tell you the truth, but perhaps its because I read it at an age when I couldn't fully appreciate it. The major themes to my knowledge are the depiction of the roaring 20s, and how the carefree and extravagant lifestyle of that generation helped pave the way to the Depression, and eventually WW11. On a more personal level, it also is centered around holding on to the past for too long, as you mentioned PhiSlammaJamma. I guess it wasn't that bad a story, eh sport? Azim da Dream ------------------ I am the truth and i will continue to bring you the truth as long as I can. Stay tuned to more facts in my upcoming posts. - COACH SAMPSON, the ultimate messenger of truth http://www.clutchtown.com
