So according to the Hollywood Reporter, they're making a film version of On the Road, the classic Jack Kerouac novel, directed by Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries). I guess, thinking about it, the Motorcycle Diaries does parallel On the Road in that it tells the story through the eyes of someone in thrall to a much more charismatic real-life character - Che in the former, Dean Moriarty/Neal Cassady in the latter - and that's not always easy to convey in film. But despite liking that film, I remain skeptical of anyone's ability to adapt On the Road. On the Road was one of those books that made me want to go see America: the book for me felt alive with sheer manic energy, reckless and on the brink, sort of the literary equivalent of amphetamines. And that last paragraph - thinking of Dean Moriarty - always gets to me.
I know On the Road isn't necessarily the greatest work ever written (and yes, I know of Truman Capote's sneering "typing not writing" quote); for that matter, the Dharma Bums is probably the better Kerouac novel. But it meant something to me when I was younger, and I'm certainly not the only one: the film's going to have to live up to very high standards if it wants to touch the emotional core that the book did.
Taken from the Daryl Sng blog and Delta Sierra Arts.
Article comments
1 - Victor Lana
To make ON THE ROAD into a movie that is true to the novel is going to be a daunting task. The structure of the book is such that it will not fit the standard one hundred minutes or so that are usual for Hollywood pablum.
If they want to make it right, they should get Tarantino to direct and throw out the formulaic crap. Let him work a PULP FICTION-like magic on the piece and have fun, and maybe we'll get a film close to being true to the great narrative that has inspired so many of us to hit Route 66.
2 - Nick Jones
I imagine, like with David Cronenberg's cinematic version of Naked Lunch, that the screenwriter(s) and director can only try to capture the essense, the feel or "flavor" of the novel; I don't see how it could be done otherwise, except as a miniseries for HBO or another quality cable channel.
P.S. I actually prefer Visions of Cody, which I understand is the version of On the Road Kerouac wanted to publish, but had to tone down to a less experimental style so it would be considered by publishers.
3 - El Bicho
There is no way Tarantino could handle a project like "On The Road."
4 - Eric Berlin
On the Road will be very very tough to adapt. It will take the right writer(s), director, and vision. But look at Peter Jackson and Lord of the Rings: it can be pulled off in the right hands.
And there are likely many more Tolkien people walking about than Kerouac people.
But for every one adaptation of LoTR, there are 10 or so Fear & Loathings... which I fear this project could veer off into. That said, I'd be much happier leaning on the dreamy, cinematic, slightly magic realism side than the manic, caustic, stomach-juggling side.
So it will be interesting. I'll certainly be looking forward to seeing hte results.
5 - Eric Berlin
Visions of Cody, as I understand it, was cobbled together years after On the Road from his notes and spontaneous writing sessions (one of the key things to note about Kerouac was that he wrote "spontaneously" based upon meticulous journal entries... particularly when he's at his best, such as with On the Road).
Visions was Kerouac's attempt to retell the adventures of On the Road in a more experimental yet illustrative style. I haven't read it yet, but I'd like to one day.
6 - Mark Saleski
i'd have to say that, being such a Kerouac fan, i'd go see the movie.
but....it would be interesting to see which Kerouac was portrayed. the man who embraced life with limitless gusto, or the man who embraced the bottle (tho i supposes that was later in his life).