Manderley for the New Generation
As a semi-pro movie geek and a lifelong bookworm, I occasionally struggle with the relationship between literature and film. I like both, and I like them for many of the same reasons. And yes, most books are better than their adaptations. But aren’t there some novels that are so compelling and so visually satisfying that they just cry out to be committed to film? Aren’t there stories that we know might not be as perfect onscreen as they are on the page, but we’re dying for somebody to try anyway? This is why we have the Harry Potter movies. It’s why we have the Lord of the Rings movies. And it’s why we should have a new version of Daphne du Maurier’s novel Rebecca.
Of course, Rebeccahas already been adapted. Alfred Hitchcock made a very faithful version in 1940 and won his only Best Picture award from the Academy for his efforts. But…isn’t it time for a new version? The Hitchcock adaptation is in black and white; surely Manderley would look that much better surrounded with rhododendrons that are actually red? There’s an entire generation out there who need a good, pre-1950s psychological thriller.
This is what I’m proposing: a lush, full-color version of Rebecca, filmed on location in southern England at an estate that looks exactly like the one in my head (got that?). I’m thinking Ruth Wilson. I’m thinking a well-aged Hugh Jackman. I’m thinking…I don’t know, Rose McGowan? And David Strathairn can play Frank. It’ll be great. Pssst, Hollywood! Over here! I’ll do the casting; you…take care of the rest, okay?
March 7th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Ooh! Hugh Jackman in Rebecca! That’s *very* exciting, Liz! You just guaranteed that both me and my mom would see this movie. So way to go! (It’s all the more remarkable because he isn’t really quite my idea of that character. But he would so pull it off.)
March 7th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Now, that is a film I would see. But then, I’m always interested in books being filmed.
March 8th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
mmmmm. Hugh Jackman.
What about Alan Rickman? Too old? Too Snape? Too MARVIN?
I think he can do it-ala Sense and Sensibility, but maybe I only think so because I had to watch part of the Kenneth B. Hamlet today.
Life . . . don’t talk to me about life. . .
March 8th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Heather, I didn’t know you were such a Hugh Jackman fan! But I do think he’d make a lovely Maxim, especially in a few years. You’re right–he’s not Maxim Personified, but he would pull it off.
March 8th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Elisa, I was thinking that maybe you and I should do a joint book-film thing–maybe a week of collaborations on books and movies? That would be fun.
March 8th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Sara:
I hadn’t thought of Alan Rickman, but you may be right. Too old? Possibly…but maybe not, too. I mean, yes, but I think he could pull it off. (I did consider Colin Firth, but he’s such a cliche by now that I just couldn’t.)
March 8th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Yeah, but Colin’s not rugged enough.
Beside, he’s been “linked” to so many of that type, he might have caught something.
At least Rickman was just a manically depressed robot. . .