Optioned for the BIG SCREEN

[Brantford]

It should be no surprise to anyone that Dreamworks has already optioned this book to potentially turn it into a movie.

However, so much of this book takes place in the character's thoughts. There is far more internal dialogue than dialogue spoken out loud. There would have to be some big changes made to the structure of the book to accommodate this.

Can you picture this book as a movie? Would modifying the story line to a screenplay drastically change the story?

[Karen]

I pictured this immediately as a movie. Alfred Hitchcock should come back from the grave to write the screenplay.

[Kathryn]

I immediately felt that this novel is very visual. icould see the action quite clearly as I read. Whatever the movie team puts together will likely destroy my own images but I would still be interested in seeing this on the big screen.

[Karen]

I kept seeing images fly last as "I" sat on the train....glimpses of children in the yard playing, stray dogs walking the fields along the tracks, images of half dressed people in the 2nd floor windows AND the snapshot of THAT kiss on the balcony. I see it filmed exactly like the scene that is looped in "the Great Gatsby" with Redford when he dances with Daisy

[Anna]

Karen wrote: "I kept seeing images fly last as "I" sat on the train....glimpses of children in the yard playing, stray dogs walking the fields along the tracks, images of half dressed people in the 2nd floor win..."

Karen that's interesting that you say you could picture images flying past. I had distinct images too but they were based on a real situation. The train that travels into Toronto passes along a residential area where you can look right into people's yards or the windows at the back of their houses. I had that picture in my mind.

I think this would make a good movie. Actually, this is one of the rare times that I think a movie could actually improve on the book. I think a film maker could do a lot with this. Add a lot of atmosphere and heighten the suspense.

[Colleen]

Anna wrote: "Actually, this is one of the rare times that I think a movie could actually improve on the book. I think a film maker could do a lot with this. Add a lot of atmosphere and heighten the suspense. "

I have to agree that I think this book could probably make a pretty decent movie. I didn't love the book, but add suspenseful music and lots of imagery and it's good a decent suspense in it's future. I think so much of the characters were left up to the readers imagination that it would be pretty simple to fill in the blanks and without tonnes of dialogue they may not need to cut so much of the book down.

[Amanda]

I agree with you Anna, the movie would be waaay better. They would need more dialogue and more clues about the crime to keep people interested. Also so many scenes with the train they could film and bring to life!

[Kohinoor]

Interestingly enough, they are shooting the movie here in NYC next weekend. I wonder why, since the book took place in England.

[Anna]

Kohinoor wrote: "Interestingly enough, they are shooting the movie here in NYC next weekend. I wonder why, since the book took place in England."

It would be interesting to find out why? Could it possibly be cheaper? Boy it didn't take them long to get that film going. I wonder what the anticipated release date will be. Maybe it's way too early yet to know.

[Karen]

I'm on the edge of my seat, can't wait for the film!