Etienne Borgers (freeweb@rocketmail.com)
Sun, 14 Nov 1999 23:20:03 -0800 (PST)
--- Juri Nummelin <jurnum@utu.fi>
wrote:
> On Fri, 12 Nov 1999, Chris Bahn wrote:
>
> > Speaking of French versions of noir
books,
> Truffaut's "Shoot the Piano
> > Player" is playing in Minneapolis next weekend.
Is
> it worth a look?
>
> Very much so. It's one of the best new wave
films,
> it's funny and there
> isn't much artiness. I liked it very
much.
>
> Juri
> jurnum@utu.fi
Well, I do not want to look like being a systematic negative
critic of French films, after my opinion on
'Coup de Torchon' by Tavernier, but I consider the same about
"Tirez Sur le Pianiste" by Truffaut. As much I like Truffaut,
how much I regret he took THAT book from Goodis'to make a
film Noir. I do not find the intentions of the book in his
film, which is more about to make something Truffaut-esque
than to explore really the HB/Noir of Goodis. But if you did
not read the book, then yes you may enjoy the film for what
it is. And again I do not mean it's a lemon.
Adaptation of books to film is a very controversial subject
and I consider that how "best" the book how more critical we
have the right to be, when something is not of the same level
in the film. Then just imagine when you see books you
consider as top of tops being adapted... Also, I was not
saying that Tavernier's film is a turkey, but just that it's
not on par with Thompson's book that is the very best by this
author.
In HB/Noir Cinema genre(policier), most of the time the
*best* films are better than the books they adapt
(as these books are not always the top of the genre or best
of the author). So, taking a *real top book* to film is a
risky business, if the director or the producer does not see
why this one is a gem (and we pre-suppose they both are very
good in their film trade...). And I think we are right to say
so when it happens.
The French New Wave, on the other hand produced far better
real Noir movies than Truffeaust's- just think of Melville
and Cavalier to start with.
E.Borgers Hard-boiled Mysteries http://www.geocities.com/Athens/6384
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