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Behind The Screen
With Desson Howe
Washington Post Film Critic
Monday, Nov. 19, 2001; 12:30 p.m. EST
Washington Post film critic Desson Howe brings Behind The Screen Live Online for a discussion on filmmaking and the art of the cinema. Have you ever wanted to know what the director had in mind when making a particular film? Or why the producer altered the original screenplay? Why was an actor or actress cast over another? Howe has answers to these and other questions about filmmaking.
Howe has been a movie critic at The Washington Post for 13 years. He was raised in England, where he attended private school in Surrey. Although he was entranced, like most children, by Walt Disney movies, he says it was a visit to the local theater in the mid 1960s, to see David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia," that made him realize movies had to be a part of his life.
The transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Desson Howe: Well, hello. I'm sure a certain movie about a little fledgling wizard, which has shattered every known box office opening record MIGHT be a subject of discussion today. But all other subjects on the movies are welcome. Happy Monday to all. And I see the questions are already queued. I hope some people have caught up with the fabulous French movie Amelie, for instance, which expanded from its single theater at Dupont Circle to a wider string of theaters.
SciFiGirl:
Desson -- I found myself ... well, disappointed, a little, by the Harry Potter movie. I felt it hewed TOO closely to the book (something I never thought I'd say), so it never seemed to achieve a movie flow. However, the film was saved by the acting and casting (could Alan Rickman have been any better? I am now in the awkward position of finding Snape (gasp) attractive!). So while I have reservations about it as a film, I did have a good time watching it. As a side note, some the animation was just awful, and some of it was quite good (I loved the snake). Couldn't figure that out ...
Desson Howe: Well, a mixed bag o' reactions for the SciFiGirl. I, too, never thought I'd hear the criticism that a movie was too close to the book. R.K. Rowling must have dreamt she would read complaints like that! I agree with you that Rickman was very appealing as Snape.
Springs of Silver Sarah:
Hi Desson, it's been too long since you last chatted. I want to report on a recent experience at the Wheaton Lowes. We saw Harry Potter. On the plus side it was really nice to have a live "warm up" for the kiddies. A guy conducted a guessing game and gave away a poster for the prize. A very nice touch that made it sort of an "event". And I recall that as a youngster there was more of this. Also, and perhaps personally most important, I inadvertently left my purse in the theater and the management recovered it intact. We've still got some honest people out there. Kudos to Wheaton Lowes!
Desson Howe: Wow, a story full of positive, joyful points. Thanks for keeping Monday bright!
Fairfax, Va.:
Saw "Harry Potter" on Friday night. It didn't seem like a two-and-a-half-hour movie to me. I found it highly enjoyable, with the only downside being that there wasn't time to allow other characters besides Harry, Ron, and Hermione to have their moments. Is there any way to fix this, or is it just the downside of turning a book into a movie?
Desson Howe: Good question. A book gets to keep all its rushes, as it were. You can have a cast of thousands. But a movie only allows about 4 to 6 main characters, max, before the audience will run screaming into the night. There are only 120 minutes at most to bring your audience into a drama, express all the dramatic conflicts, then come to a satisfying resolution. The fewer characters you select from, say, Harry Potter, the more time you get to give each character more screen time, exposition time and a satisfying character arc. If you try to cover too many characters, you end up seemingly thin and superficial.
Arlington:
Desson,
I saw Amelie yesterday and it was a completely charming movie. But Miramax pushing it for "Best Picture"? It was a lovely movie but let's not kid ourselves it's not of the emotional level of a "Life is Beautiful".
Desson Howe: I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm surprised you used the words charming and lovely, then wonder why it's being pushed. Frankly, I am glad it's being pushed by Miramax. (Better this movie than the mediocre Chocolat, which they turned into the promotional hustle of the year. This movie has 20 times more substance than Chocolat.) I think you've undervalued this movie, in my opinion. It's rich, inventive, creative, funny and there's no movie like it.
Bethesda, Md.:
Went to see "Amelie" this weekend and was blown away. An amazing movie that managed to combine humor and romance. What else has the director done? Something about the style and using the actor Pinon as the obsessive customer reminded of "Delicatessen".
Desson Howe: Glad you appreciated it. Yes, the same director made Delicatessen, as well as City of Lost Children. And Pinon was in all 3. Also he was in the fabulous Diva.
Washington, D.C.:
Okay Desson, so you and everyone but me has seen "Harry." What do you think "Fellowship's" chances are against it?
Are you excited for "Lord of the Rings"?
Desson Howe: I have seen 45 minutes of Lord of the Rings. And it's great. I already know to be excited about it. It's uncertain if Harry will destroy its box office chances or enhance it because of the competition and a renewed public interest in fantasy.
Germantown, Md.:
How far in advance of the public opening does a reviewer such as yourself typically see a movie?
Desson Howe: As early as a month ahead. As late as the day before it opens. And everything in between.
London, England:
Hi D ...
I just read that the best Foreign Language noms for the Oscars are actually made by the countries concerned and not the Academy? Don't you think that's really weird?
Desson Howe: Yeah, it does affect things adversely, probably. But the country is going to be more savvy than the Oscar Acad members about their own films. Oscar folks typically do not watch foreign films if they don't have to, unless it's a quirky French or Italian movie, or unless they've read good press on another foreign film. The real issue is, if the country in question has a political agenda and nominates its own favorites, even if another film (without personal connections or perhaps with some kind of controversy between itself and the mullahs of taste) is better.
Bethesda:
Desson,
Have you heard any opinions on the movie from someone who hasn't read it? I would think the flow problems would be even worse for them and would leave some questions unanswered.
Desson Howe: My wife and son, who had not read the book, loved it.
12th Floor Metro Center:
Mondays suck, Desson. On a brighter note, any sleepers coming out before the end of the year?
Desson Howe: I hear you on Mondays. You should see Amelie, for one thing. Wes Anderson's The Royal Tennenbaums (he's the guy who made Rushmore and Bottle Rocket) comes out this Christmas. And although I thought it so-so, there's a small movie called In the Bedroom, which is a harrowing domestic violence story, which may do well. And the documentary Endurance tells of Ernest Shackleton's incredible trip to the Antarctic.
Fairfax, Va.:
"If you try to cover too many characters, you end up seemingly thin and superficial."
And yet "Casablanca" did this to perfection. Not only did you have Rick, Ilsa, and Victor, there was also Sam, Major Strassa, Captain Renault plus all of the characters in the bar. I guess that is why "Casablanca" is one of the greatest movies of all time ...
Desson Howe: Yes, they're given short but memorable roles, which is why the movie seems to cover a wide variety of characters. That's the issue: to give every minor character a very memorable few minutes, so you can get a sense of their depth too. There are other movies which give much dimension to an ensemble cast. It's a question of balance. Between screen time and number of characters. You can pull it off.
SciFiGirl:
If I may expand on my flow comment from my earlier post? Thank you. What I meant was that the movie never really seemed take off. It seemed like it kept having to stop and make sure that this scene was in, and that scene was in. So the story makes perfect sense even if you hadn't read the book. It's just more that it never achieved that cinematic flow that sweeps the viewer away with it.
Desson Howe: OK, thanks.
Springfield, Md.:
Hi Desson! So, how did you and the rest of The Post crew decide who was going to have to review "The Black Knight?" I mean, did you call in sick and dump it on Rita or something? Do you actually go to the screening, or do you save yourself from the horror by making up a review using the trailer as Cilff's Notes knowing that no one will ever know the difference?
Hey Mr. LittleJeans, what did you think of "The Black Knight"?
Worst movie ever man.
Desson Howe: I'm not sure who reviews Black Knight on the Style side. As you may know, Weekend is independent of Style. So Weekend always covers all the movies, as far as possible. While Style gets to pick and choose, although they cover everything significant (i.e. with major advertising budgets and distributed by major studios). I'm sure neither Rita not Steve will arm-wrestle for this one. And I'm lucky enough not to have to see it. Michael O'Sullivan is covering for me, as I'll be away for about 10 days.
Washinton, D.C.:
It seems the main line of criticisim that HP is encountering is that it doesn't have the sense of wonder in the book or that it follows the book too closely.
Well, I haven't read the book. How does the film stack up when viewed on its own, i.e., without reference to the book?
Desson Howe: As mentioned before, it would seem to stack up well.
D.C.:
Desson:
I, too, saw Harry Potter. Liked the portrayal of the book as it showed Hogwarts exactly how I picutred it.
But I found some of the characters to be VERY lacking, acting-wise, a little two dimensional. Yes, Hagrid, Draco and Ron stole the movie, but the posed "grin" of Harry after the third time seemed a little strained. Actually, I'm VERY DISSAPOINTED in the kid that played Harry. He was flat and had three facial expressions, and had no reactions to things like giant trolls, magic and talking snakes.
Special effects, AMAZING, but what is your take on the kid that plays Harry. Are you hearing people saying the same thing?
Desson Howe: I'm a fan of Dan Radcliffe, who plays Potter. I think he's charming and unaffected. yes, there were some takes in which he had to express wide-eyed surprise. But any actor would be stuck doing this in a special-effects movie, in which the character is constantly having to react to wonderful things.
Richmond, Va.:
Submitting early as I can never make the live chat but always enjoy the transcript ... saw Harry Potter over the week-end -- a thumbs up here and from both kids with me; we all were glad that it was as faithful to the book as it was and we loved Hermione, Hagrid and the sorting hat ... big problem though with the maddeningly intrusive (and completely cliched if a score can be described that way) score ... it almost drove me from the theater and that's saying something ... can anything be done to stop John Williams from scoring the next six films -- please use your influence!
Desson Howe: Thanks for your posting! As for John Williams, I hear you on that. He's not Steven Spielberg's top choice for nothing. Not to mention George Lucas's. He has a certain perfect cheesability.
Cute Moniker:
Desson --
Just wanted to let you know that after months and months of lurking and reading you push it, I finally rented Lawrence of Arabia. Even on my little 15 inch TV and with a crappy rental copy, it was the most magnificent movie I've seen in eons. I am now haunting all my local art movie houses, waiting for it to appear on the big screen.
(I confess, it took me so long because after the wretched English Patient the thought of watching another desert epic gave me hives.)
Desson Howe: Awesome. You are now part of the El Orontz Tribe. Welcome to our tent of appreciation.
Herndon, Va.:
Mr. H: I first read "Lord of the Rings" a loooong time ago (soon after it was published) and on many occasions since then. So . . . if the movie doesn't exactly match MY conception of the characters -- it's obviously flawed beyond forgiveness!
Desson Howe: Well, of course.
London, England:
D ... to answer one of your posts, I haven't read the book, but I did read that JK Rowling had a big say in the structure of the movie -- and it really shows because the movie lacks a real narrative drive. I thought the first and second acts way too long with too many scenes added just because they looked good. And the third act (the climax) way too short with not enough suspense. Having said that, watching it in the Odeon Cinema, Leicester Square surrounded by 1500 ecstatic kids made it a worthwhile experience!
Desson Howe: OK, thanks.
Old Town:
Hi Desson. Firstly, all Spurs fans are scum. Last weekend proved it.
I read the online synopsis/review of "Fat Girl" and certainly raised an eyebrow. Banned in Ontario? Is it naughty or sick? ... not that there's anything wrong with that
Desson Howe: Well, they're expressing their opinion on a soccer player who (they think) deserted their club to play with one of their fiercest rivals (Arsenal). I can understand their frustration and it's an inevitable reaction. And as far as I've seen or heard, they were throwing nothing but plastic bottles, and yelling during the game. If it were uglier than that, I'd deplore it. But having said that, I'd also say, they have to get over it. Oh yeah, the movies: Michael O'S reviewed Fat Girl (I was busy writing a cover story for Weekend on the upcoming December movies). And he described it, intriguingly, as "the kind of stunning and contentious work of art that will leave a lot of folks
speechless…some because of the movie's graphic, near porn-caliber treatment of its
subject matter (statutory rape), and some simply because it is one of the most artful,
complex and honest depictions of adolescent sexual awakening and sibling rivalry ever
committed to celulloid."
Metro Center:
To go along with Germantown's question, how do people (other than reviewers get) the chance to see movie screenings prior to its opening? Thanks for your time!
Desson Howe: You have to listen to the various radio stations which offer free tickets to the various sneak previews of those movies. Or you have to become my best friend.
Arlington, Va.:
Is "Novocaine" really that bad? When I first heard about the cast and plot line, I thought of Steve Martin's boffo turn in "Little Shop of Horrors" and was expecting great things.
Desson Howe: I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But I was very into the movie at first but became more and more disappointed. You might last longer than me. I would say you're going to half appreciate it at the very worst. Maybe you'll like it more than me. It has great potential. And some great scenes. A rental.
Faifax, Va.:
My biggest HP surprise was seeing the show with a bunch of 20 somethings. Very few kids at the 9:45 p.m. show at the Arlington Courthouse on Friday. No wonder it broke all records.
Desson Howe: They were in bed, I guess. I also heard there were 6. a.m. screenings so kids could see it BEFORE school. This is getting a bit much. We have a silly culture of blockbuster frenzy in the U.S.
Takoma Park, Md.:
So how does one become a movie critic anyway? I'm a veteran journalist and movie buff -- and ready for a career change. Any advice? Many thanks.
Desson Howe: I say this to everyone. Be a critic if you have something to say other than gee I liked/hated the movie. It would be nice if you brought something more to the table than your love of movies. Everybody loves movies. I think a critic should have something extra to say. Something that brings insight or amusement or something out of the ordinary. Otherwise, why nother being a critic. So, if you have something to offer that's more than fanzine burbling, then you should consider the trade. You're in the business. So you should talk to editors you know, etc.
Bowie:
This is just trivia, but it seems an appropriate time to ask given the world events happening today ...
It's well known that Lawrence of Arabia has zero speaking roles for women. How many different male speaking roles are there?
Desson Howe: There are 36 official roles for men. But of course there are no women. This is a war story around the time of World War I in the desert. Not a whole lot of female troops on the ground, know what I mean? And not to mention, much of this is set in Arabic society where women are not as visible as men.
Bethesda, Md.:
Saw a whole bunch of trailers before "Amelie" the other night. "The Royal Tennenbaums" looks promising given the cast. The Meg Ryan flick with Hugh Jackman looks abysmal, like a time-traveling version of that awful Winona Ryder-Richard Gere film. The mystery flick was a French film called "Brotherhood of the Wolf". Appeared to be about a Frenchman and a Native American hunting down some wolf beast in the 1700s with choreography/stunts by the gang that did Matrick and CTHD. Have you heard anything about it?
Desson Howe: Yes, Brotherhood is coming soon. Haven't seen it yet. I'm always going to keep an open mind and of course have my own reaction, but I hear it's an OK film rather than, say, the ultra-fantastic film of the year.
Nani/Texas:
I was quite taken with Guy Pearce's performance in Memento,(what a heartbreaker ... "I can't remember to forget her.") What other films has he made, does he have others coming out?
Desson Howe: The English actor's biggest roles were in Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and L.A. Confidential. He has a few coming out: the lead in H.G. Wells' The Time Machine, same again in the Count of Monte Cristo and also he's in Blood and Guts, a heist flick.
Cute Moniker:
Can I jump in on the "No women in Lawrence" thing? It bothered me for a minute, but then I realized that this was probably the only time I (being a woman) would ever even get a glimpse into the male side of such a segregated society. It was fascinating.
Plus, women just would have upset the delicate balance of the latent homosexuality theme, methinks.
Desson Howe: Exactly right on all counts.
Arlington, Va.:
Anything to say about "Novacaine" with Steve Martin?
Desson Howe: Said it earlier.
Fairfax:
I really enjoyed HP this weekend -- found it not overlong, and absolutely adored Coltrane's Hagrid. Re-read the book for the first time in a few months and was pleased to find that any flaws I saw in the film -- its quick movement throughout the year and the snowballing of the climax -- were equally true in the book. I've always loved the first half of it -- with the muggles and Harry's first steps into the wizarding world--best.
I thought it was great fun.
Desson Howe: Thanks!
Reston, Va.:
At least HP didn't use any Americans trying to fake an English accent.
Desson Howe: Precisely, old chap.
Capitol Hill, D.C.:
What do you think of the movie that's supposed to be coming out called "Black Hawk Down"? Did the producers throw this movie together recently because the events of the past two months or is this a movie that's been in the making for a while?
Desson Howe: It's certainly been rushed to capsulize on the Afghan situation. But it was being made anyway, thanks to a great series on the Battle of Mogadishu by Mark Bowden, whose book recountes the military action. Book's called Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War. It was a newspaper series before that. And you can
visit www.philly.com/packages/somalia/nov16/default16.asp, for the Philadelphia
Inquirer's extensive website about the battle, including Bowden's original series of
articles.
Director is Ridley Scott. Should be a good movie, no matter the hype and politics.
A fan of El Aurens:
Bowie's question about the dearth of female characters in LAWRENCE OF ARABIA was interesting. I've read several biographies of T.E. Lawrence, and he had a rather complicated inner life, to put it tactfully. His attitudes toward women were not anywhere as extreme as, say, Mohammed Atta's, but his feelings toward them were mixed. He did have some friendships with women, e.g., Mrs. George Bernard Shaw, if I remember correctly. This part of his life would make a great film but it would be a very different film from L of A.
Desson Howe: Thanks. Good stuff.
The Lone Reader:
So on Friday, I went with six friends who had not read THE book to see THE movie. They had the same feelings -- great kid's movie, still don't get the hubbub about the book. But they kept asking why the audience was all laughing at everything Hermione said, since she was a whiny know-it-all. And I had to convince them that in the book, she's much more sympathetic. And that in the book, Voldemort is much scarier. In general, they didn't think the stakes were high enough for Harry. Oh, and they thought the producers actually RUINED the chance for a sequel, since it tied up so nicely with Voldemort's death. Amateurs. Ha.
Desson Howe: Thanks. Get them to read the book, to understand what all the fuss is about!
Too easily impressed?:
Desson, I have to chime in on behalf of young Mr. Potter. I read the books, and I didn't feel the movie lost any of the magic. I didn't mind the length of the movie -- in fact, I didn't want it to end. (Those with 30-second attention spans should go sit through a Noh performance sometime. Six hours min.)
Radcliffe was not just adorable, but a sympathetic character as well. I was close to tears a few times re: his lost parents and his newfound life.
So maybe I'm too easily impressed after all, but I loved the movie and was not let down at all. (For the record, I hated Jerry Maguire -- "you had me at hello"? Bleah!)
Desson Howe: Thanks!
Emmaus, Pa.:
I would have liked to see a new and independent story line for Harry Potter that was just for the movie. Just a small side note that would fit in the sequence of events for the first book but wasn't in it. So that people who read the book would have something interesting to see. I am sure Ms. Rowling could have thought of something.
Desson Howe: OK, thanks.
Wiredog:
NPR had a bit last night on how studios excerpt film reviews to turn a bad review into a rave review (i.e. "fantastically bad" becomes "Fantastic!...") Ever had that happen to you?
Desson Howe: Not too much, thank goodness. Sometimes they ask me if they can alter things just a tad. I don't like it when they add an exclamation point to what I wrote.
Ballston, Va.:
Guy Pearce is from Australia, not England!
Desson Howe: Born in Ely, England, 5 October 1967.
TMA-1 Lexington Park, Md.:
Mr. Howe:
Greatly appreciated your piece on the restored print of "2001: a Space Odyssey." I saw it at the last showing this past Thursday -- always stunning to see it at the Uptown (have seen it there during several bookings over the past 33 years -- this time, with the resonance of now seeing it in this manner in this year had my eyes welling with tears at one point). It is extraordinary the cultural impact this film has had through the years: many filmmakers, aerospace engineers and computer scientists cite it as a seminal influence in forming their life interests ... SO, now that I've established that, WHAT WAS UP WITH YOUR ESTEEMED COLLEAGUE MR. HUNTER TO CAUSE HIS SNEERING, SNARKY REVIEW of this jewel of cinema? Lastly, I recommend the book HAL'S LEGACY: 2001'S Computer as Dream and Reality (MIT Press); being the astute individual you are, you are probably already familiar with it. Thanks for letting me rant.
Desson Howe: Thanks for your comments. I frequently disagree on the page with my colleagues. But it's a friendly rivalry, in my mind. Rather than get into any jibes at my esteemed colleagues, who are really nice people and even house-trained, I am just glad that my reviews are available for people to read. It's up to the readers who they prefer. But I'm glad you appreciated 2001.
The Valley of Olives, Malta:
Desson;
Would you say that A.I. was an underrated movie? I saw it for the first time this past week, and it's ... incomparable. Though one can't deny that it's manipulative, why has the film received so much flak?
Desson Howe: It came with a mountain of expectations and hype. I think it's too flawed (in my opinion) to call fully great, but it's also great enough in parts, so that many would go all the way, like yourself, and call it great. I was about half for it and half not for it. I loved parts but did not like other parts.
Burke, Va:
What about "The Man Who Wasn't There"? Am I the only one who LOVED that movie?
Desson Howe: I liked it too.
Washington, D.C.:
Please please clear this up: I thought Guy Pearce was an Aussie!
Desson Howe: I believe he's English born. If he grew up in Oz, I don't know.
Fairfax:
The Black Hawk Down movie creeps me out. Mostly I suspect because I remember the news reports so vividly. The book was a good read -- but not anything I ever, ever want to see on the screen. It just seems inappropriate somehow. I mean, it's not like movies about the hostages of the 80s are being made, either.
Also, what on earth is Ewan MacGregor doing in it!
Desson Howe: Ewan needed something to do between Stars Wars movies?
London, England:
Before you get deluged by irate Aussies, Guy Pearce is actually one of the those down unders. Unlike all the others who you think are Aussie but ain't. Russell Crowe: Kiwi. Frances O'Connor: Limey. Mel Gibson: Yank. Nicole Kidman: Hawaii. Naomi Watts: Limey.
Desson Howe: I leave this to the experts. I give up.
EraserheadGuy, D.C.:
Can I be your best friend?
Desson Howe: No. Not until you renounce Eraserhead.
SciFiGirl:
Oh, and the Lord of the Rings trailer? Gave me chills ... even though I'm not a huge fan of the books, the movie looks like it could be terrific.
Any buzz on the new Robert Redford/Brad Pitt movie? You know, to get away from HP.
Desson Howe: I'm looking forward to it in a guilty sort of way.
Farragut Spring:
In response to Emmaus, Pa., the flashback sequence in THE movie was cut from the book and went into more detail than any of the later books did.
Also, I'd like to second the opinion that the movie failed to reach the right balance between hewing too closely to the book and striking out too far, as the pacing didn't work as well and too many scenes from the book seemed almost gratuitous in the movie. Still, I did enjoy it.
Desson Howe: OK.
Guy Pearce:
Born in Cambridgeshire, England, in 1967, Guy Pearce immigrated to Australia to live in Geelong, Victoria, with his family when he was three years old. Five years later, his father, a New Zealand pilot, died in a plane crash leaving his English school teacher mother to care for him and his older sister Tracey.
Desson Howe: I like this. We get Pearce. Not the Aussies. Or maybe it's a shared thing?
Alexandria, Va.:
What does "limey" mean?
Desson Howe: The British navy used to suck limes to avoid scurvy.
Tysons:
What's the word on Ocean's 11?
Desson Howe: Big stars, so-so movie.
Washington, D.C.:
Speaking of early screenings ... have you seen The Royal Tennenbaums yet? I saw the trailer and it looks like it's going to be good ... more along the lines of Rushmore than Bottle Rocket -- my all-time favorite movie. Any rumors of the next Anderson/Wilson project?
Desson Howe: I'm a fan of Anderson. It'll have to be terrible to meet my disapproval. I hear good about it.
Montgomery Village, Md.:
Hi,
I just wanted to say I loved the movie "Harry Potter" and really liked your review. I think it's great that the movie adhered to the book. And I thought the casting was spectacular, and that the cinematography was very evocative. I am eagerly looking forward to owning the DVD and seeing the sequels.
Desson Howe: Thanks very much.
Baltimore, Md.:
Even though I have not read the "Harry Potter" books, my impression on seeing the film is that of others: that it sacrifices faithfulness to the original material at the expense of capturing its essence. I suppose it's the difference between merely recreating the story (which I think the film does) and offering a genuine, unique interpretation of it.
"Amelie" was indeed a breath of fresh air. I was struck by the contrast between this film and "H.P." in terms of the director's respective use of CGI. Big-budget Hollywood folks like Messrs. Columbus, Lucas, Spielberg, etc., seem intent on using computers only to cut costs, make sets or locations that can be composited onto bluescreens instead of actually having to build them or shoot on location. In "Amelie" there is the indelible image of Amelie turning into a Monet-esqe version of herself and then collapsing in a puddle on the floor. Brilliant! I hope that the future of CGI is more focused on using the technology to actually make art, rather than just sticking to a budget.
Desson Howe: Right on.
Lexington, Ky.:
I saw the Insider this past weekend on DVD. Did you see it? If so, were you confused about the lack of focus (was it tabacco conspiracy, CBS vs Al Pacino, what Crowe knew)? I found the discovery of Crowe's dealing in tabacco rather anti-climactic as well. It was a good movie but for something nominated for best Picture I was expecting a little more ooomph.
Desson Howe: I tell ya, I liked it a whole lot.
Bethesda, Md.:
I applaud your decision to go to "Harry Potter" with young fans of the books. This is a movie made for and marketed toward young people and most of them didn't want a film transformation or cinematic revision, they wanted a visual transcription of the story they loved. Some of your colleagues need to think a little more about the varied roles that movies play in our culture.
Desson Howe: Thanks for the kudos.
Washington, D.C.:
Hello Desson.
Saw "Fat Girl" yesterday (at that Dreadful Dupont theater). I could not have been more bored. Forced myself to sit till the end to see the "jaw-dropping" ending (which it was).
My question to you: Does a paid reviewer have the right to declare a movie such a stinker that they up and leave before it's over?
Desson Howe: Obviously, they'd miss something if they left before the end of Fat Girl.
Arlington, Va.:
Saw "Amelie" this weekend, and it was just what I needed after a gloomy week. The film is sweet, funny, bawdy, and heartwarming. I loved the traveling gnome! The theater was packed at 4:30 on Sunday, which was really nice to see. I'll bet the word-of-mouth endorsements will make it a success despite its heavy competition.
Desson Howe: Great to hear.
McLean, Va.:
Hope I'm not too late. Black Hawk Down was a fabulous, factual book. I suggest anyone interested should read it. I am sure like many of the "fact based" movies, this one will be changed from the book. But it is fast paced and incredibly interesting.
Desson Howe: Thanks.
The burbs:
Desson, I see that the movie "Lantana" won all the AFI awards over the weekend in Australia. Any word on whether we might ever see it in the Washington area? A movie winning that many awards might be a consideration for the Oscars, no?
Desson Howe: Haven't seen it. It's coming though. Probably in January.
Bethesda (again):
My flow problems were in part with the plot (perhaps flow is not the right word...). It leaves many important questions out like why it was such a big deal that Neville stood up to his friends, where the invisibility cloak came from; why Snape hated Harry (but tried to save him), etc.
BTW, I did like Rickman as Snape except a few times his look was more surprise than hatred.
Desson Howe: Thanks.
Re: People who haven't(!) read the book:
Well, my husband and I (both early 20's) saw Harry Potter last night and loved it! I personally am very glad that I never read the book becuase I have never liked any change in media of any book I have read. I did not feel any of the stop/start problems and didn't feel any sort of disapointment with "special effects" The story line ran along at a decent clip and was more than easy to follow. The only questions I was left with I bet weren't answered in the book either, and all concerend the creation/evolution of the forest of shadows.
Desson Howe: Thanks.
Centreville:
It seems to me that the makers of Harry Potter were stuck between a rock and a hard place, in some sense. Many would complain if it deviated too much from the book; others, as we've seen, have complained that it followed the book too closely. Do you think that that is generally true of movies that are based on books?
Myself, I thought HP was great! My husband and I went to see it on Saturday afternoon -- I think we were the only adults there without kids in tow, but we were enthralled by the movie (and by the excellent behaviour of all the kids in the audience). And to answer another poster's question, several friends who have not read the book saw it as well, and all loved it as much we we did!
Desson Howe: Appreciate the comments.
Washington, D.C.:
What do you recommend renting from the video store for Thanksgiving? Planes, Trains, and Automobiles was a success one year. Something for the whole family with MANY age groups (!), but not too mushy. Thanks.
Desson Howe: The original Home Alone is always good for this stuff. Both Toy Stories, too. Or Antz.
Alexandria, Va.:
I saw Amelie last week and LOVED it! I felt transported into that wonderful technicolor world! Even the water leak behind me at Dupont Circle did not detract from my bliss ...
I did notice however that I was often the only one laughing in the theatre. I thought at first it was my knowledge of French, but since then I've heard many mixed reviews of the movie ... I'm shocked because I saw it as having universal appeal. (And a hundred times better than that manipulative Life is Beautiful!)
Desson Howe: Glad you liked.
Harry's reaction or lack thereof:
I actually appreciated the reactions of the character. I felt that they were very in place with this precocious, self-inflextive, character. He has, his entire life, put up with horrid situations that would not get any better if he made an emotional scene. I believe that the desensisation of his childhood was showing through with the inquiring looks, but I also never read the books!
Desson Howe: Thanks.
Alexandria, Va.:
Hi Desson!
I just want to encourage all my fellow chatters to go see "Amelie." What a fun movie! It's playing several places in the 'burbs. The theater I saw it in was packed -- which is encouraging.
Desson Howe: Excellent.
Boonies, Va.:
Saw the trailer for Kate and Leopold. I am hoping against hope, as a Hugh Jackman fan, that it will be good. I watched Swordfish this past weekend because of the aforementioned Jackman, and wanted to claw my eyeballs out.
Desson Howe: I wouldn't hold your breath from what I 've heard.
Desson Howe: Sorry I couldn't get to everyone! I will catch up with you in early December. Dec 10 is the next Monday I can be here. All the best and have a great Thanksgiving everyone.
washingtonpost.com:
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That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the
discussion.
Stay tuned to Live Online:
Steve
Coll: Post-Taliban Afghanistan at 3 p.m. EST
Advice:
Carolyn Hax at 3 p.m. EST
Understanding
Ramadan at 3 p.m. EST
Astrologer
Charlene Lichtenstein at 6 p.m. EST
Live Online Special Coverage: America
At War
Did you know that you can follow more than one Live Online discussion at
the same time? Just open another browser window and toggle back and
forth between discussions! And, if you miss one, catch up with the Live
Online transcripts.
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