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April 18, 2007
THB - La Vie En Rose
What keeps us, as an audience, going through the hard times (which are much easier a second time around), is the powerful intimacy of the performances, led by Cotillard. And this is where they both seem to live. Dailies? Not only doesn't she watch them, HE doesn't watch them. How did he work with her on the set? "I don't work with her on the set. I don't work on the set." Cottillard watched every bit of footage of Piaf she could get her hands on, including Super 8 home movies, in preparing. But did the director? "I read the books. She looked at the video, not me. That was her area. I did mine. She did hers."
There are so many young directors and other show bizzers who are constantly building images of themselves for the press and the world. But there is a rawness to Dahan that stripped me of my cynicism. No doubt, it seems, he could be very difficult to work with. One could imagine that his way of doing things, on a troubled show, could be painful. But here, it seems to have been a perfect storm.
Posted by poland at April 18, 2007 11:07 AM
Comments
Re reimainging CAROUSEL. I thought the same thing after I saw a revival of it here in L.A. about a dozen years ago. Ditto SHOWBOAT, another show with a great score and strong themes. Both of these stories need to be "freed" and adapted to modern sensiblities.
Maybe that's what the Weinsteins and Rob Marshall should be working on instead of the less than classic NINE.
Posted by: samguy ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/nav-commenters.gif)
at April 18, 2007 11:25 AM
I like Nine and Love 8 1/2... but the score is not as memorable as many... that will be the hard part of selling it... but what is attractive is the 6 roles for actresses.
Posted by: David Poland at April 18, 2007 12:08 PM
First of all, that Debbie Does Dallas show on Showtime is incredibly fascinating and Paul Thomas is a big time jerk it seems.
Second of all, I would love to see an alt-version of either Oliver (but since Polanski's Oliver Twist just came out, that seems doubtful) or My Fair Lady. I'm surprised after Baz Luhrman's Romeo and Juliet, nobody thought to do updated or "alt" versions of anything except Shakespeare. Unless you count Clueless as a reimagining of Emma, which I don't.
Posted by: Noah at April 18, 2007 05:22 PM
Jeez, Hugh Jackman's been attached to a remake of Carousel since last summer.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117947820.html?cs=1&s=h&p=0
You'd think Poland would mention this in his article.
Posted by: Wrecktum at April 18, 2007 06:02 PM
That project is way on the backburner, Wreck.
Posted by: David Poland at April 18, 2007 11:17 PM
Agreed. But you probably should have mentioned it. Nice article, by the way.
Posted by: Wrecktum at April 18, 2007 11:31 PM
Interesting to hear Dave. Many Europeans who have seen it seem to think it's a Hollywoodised biopic version of Edith's life. Did you notice that in the film? Also, will it actually be titled La Vie en Rose or La Mome or whatever exotic title they decide to give it.
I gotta bring up one issue though. You say Cotillard's performance is a likely Oscar nominee, yet weren't you all up in Penelope Cruz' case last year saying it was very hard for foreign language performances to get nominated. And Cruz is a much much bigger name than Cotillard who most people have never heard of before. It may be a breakthrough but will it be seen as such?
Posted by: KamikazeCamelV2.0 at April 19, 2007 07:02 AM
Also, sorry, but the other entry is too far gone. Just watched the Hairspray trailer. Colour me impressed. It really looks like Shankman can direct a musical. He, SHOCKINGLY, actually appears to keep the camera on the dancing and the sets. I also think they're doing a good thing in seemingly advertising it more as a dance movie than a straight out musical. Younger people are more likely to see a movie with dancing than constant singing. Michelle Pfeiffer looks amazing. And, my eyes hate me for it, but I can't stop looking at Travolta! There's something fascinating about watching him in this. Utterly bizarre.
Posted by: KamikazeCamelV2.0 at April 19, 2007 08:08 AM
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