Yes, it's probably just a silly Hollywood dinner party where stars and filmmakers pat each other on the back for a job well done, while showing some cleavage or nice hair (oh sure, the awards are being given out by the Foreign Press, not Hollywood itself). What is interesting, though, is that this year the Independents rule! All five of the Best Picture (Drama) nominees are indies. What is more interesting is that four of the nominated films were adapted from literary works:
- The Constant Gardener (novel by John le Carre)
- Brokeback Mountain (short story by E. Annie Proulx)
- A History of Violence (graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke)
- Pride & Prejudice (novel by Jane Austen)
Additional nominees include:
- Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote (based on In Cold Blood by Truman Capote)
- Gwyneth Paltraw in Proof (based on the play by David Auburn)
- Charlize Theron in North County (book by Clara Bingham)
- Ziyi Zhang in Memoirs of a Geisha (novel by Arthur Golden)
- Johnny Depp in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (novel by Roald Dahl)
- Cillian Murphy in Breakfast on Pluto (novel by Pat McCabe)
I'm not trying to diss screenwriters, but I think it's remarkable that so many nominees are indies based on literary works, popular or obscure. Last year we saw Sideways (novel by Rex Pickett) and that was about it (Closer was based on Patrick Marber's play, and Finding Neverlandwas based on a play by Allan Knee). I'm sure there are other smaller films but they never made it to the award circuits.
Is this a trend, or is it a fluke? I mean, Hollywood has always looked to literary works for material, but the effort was tremendous last year. Personally, I think it's a good thing that Hollywood is turning to literary works for inspiration. It helps obscure authors get some recognition, or the already-popular authors to get more mileage out of their books. The pedigree this year truly is impressive, from Capote to Dahl to Golden to Austen to Proulx, and the quality of these films is astounding. I for one am eager to see more literary works being adapted to the big screen. It's a win-win situation for both the filmmakers and the audience.
Let's see if the trend continues at the Oscars, or better yet, at your local multiplexes in 2006.
For more random musings, visit I, the Author
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