Connect with us

Headlines

Various Reactions to James Franco’s Adaptation of As I Lay Dying

Published

on

Image courtesy of Hollywoodnews

Image courtesy of Hollywoodnews

By: Tom Freeland, HottyToddy.com, Blogger

Darl

Darl is clearly a poet and seer of sorts in the book; his monologues are full of rich language, and it becomes clear that he is picking up upon and understanding events that no other character understands.  That’s his role in the book, and, in the end, when he burns down the barn and is sent to Jackson as insane, it’s a consequence of all the horrible things that precede the fire. In the movie, the barn burning is far more random, and (in the context of Faulkner, generally) reduces Darl to the level of Ab Snopes in “Barn Burning.”

Darl is a misunderstood poet, who grasps everything that happens around him and ends up in the mental hospital because of it.  (He’s a stand-in, of sorts, for Faulkner). The movie, by stripping away Darl’s poetry and language, strips away this point that Faulkner is clearly trying to make with him.

The movie completely omits this understanding of Darl as a character, and doesn’t offer anything as a substitute.

Vardaman

Faulkner had a number of autistic or retarded characters, most famously Benjy Compson in The Sound and the Fury.  Vardaman in As I Lay Dying is one of them.

The way Faulkner depicts these characters is to view them as, more or less, cameras: They take in what they see, and say it in words, but words that are somehow transposed.  Thus, after the reader sees death a number of ways, the reader hears Vardaman, carrying up a catfish from the river, announce:  ”My mother is a fish.”

Without doubt that’s the most famous line in the book  If one is unaware of the background about Vardaman, it is incoherent.

There is nothing in the movie that would make a viewer understand that Vardaman is anything but a normal child.  And, if Vardaman is a normal child, he is incoherent.  The movie doesn’t provide the explanation a reader of the book grasps or any alternative.

I would have found a way to use the part of the story where Vardaman steals his brother’s drill and drills holes in the top of the coffin after his mother is nailed up in it.

Dewey Dell 

She starts out bothering me in the movie– the actress is way too old to be playing a sixteen year old, or someone as innocent/ignorant as Dewey Dell is in both book and movie.  Somewhere about midway in the movie, though, her performance picked up steam and I wasn’t bothered by it any more.

Jewell

I would like to know from someone who saw the movie and was unfamiliar with the book whether they had any idea about Jewell’s relationship with his mother or what was peculiar about his relationship with the family.  I’m not sure it would be visible to someone coming to the material for the first time.

Anse

The first half of the movie doesn’t take the time to develop just what a selfish leech Anse is to his family or in his dealing with his neighbors; it’s not until the second half that it really fleshes out this central part of his character.  They almost pull it off.  A simple way they could have done some of this:  They never have Anse tell that (according to him) he can’t sweat because he’d had heat stroke years before, that if he sweats, he’ll just die.  And thus everyone else has to do the farm work while he stands in the shade and complains how put-upon he is.

Split screen

The movie makes constant use of split screens.  When I read about that, I assumed it was used as an attempt to deal with the way the material in the book comes from multiple points of view.  I was wrong.  It’s just there, and a fairly annoying affectation.  I spent some time trying to figure out some sort of pattern, or way the split screen was being used to tell or advance the story.  Nothing there.  And it’s not esthetics, either.  Just a kind of tic.

Nits

If you are going to have Cash, the carpenter who makes his mother’s coffin, do the speech where he explains why he uses a bevel on the coffin’s lid, the coffin’s lid should have a bevel.  Maybe even learn what a bevel is.

No, folks did not use fords “to cross the river at high water.”

Why is the one scene where there is Spanish moss a scene in a graveyard?  Why is there Spanish moss in any scene? (this bothered others more than it bothered me.  I accepted it as a reflexively used ignorant movie cliche).

There’s a large thing made of the Bundrens’ poverty in the book, including that they have only one lamp, and its chimney is almost fully blackened out by carbon.  Lots of details in the movie (including a front porch with multiple lamps, that really healthy and good looking team on the family’s wagon, a pressed wood chair one would not expect in the country then I don’t think, painted window frames) are not consistent with that poverty.

As someone noted afterwards, the attempt by some of the actors to produce Southern accents means that the only folks one can consistently clearly understand are the Mississippi actors the production hired.

Upshot

The movie really looks like it was filmed in Mississippi, to its credit, and in the right season (the book is set in late July).  It makes an earnest effort to be faithful to the book, although tripping up occasionally and, sadly, omitting most of the humor.

The comparisons to the book are not based on any expectation that a movie adaptation have a duty of fidelity to the book.  If you are going to tell the same stories but leave out character aspects that drove the action, one would hope or expect for something else by way of substitute rather than more-or-less gaping holes.

All that said, if you are going to spend a couple of hours with As I Lay Dying, the time would be better spent with the book.  By a lot.

Read more blog posts by Tom Freeland at his NMissCommentor blog page.

Advertisement
34 Comments

34 Comments

  1. Hey! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Many thanks
    replica michael kors hamilton striped canvas orange white
    [url=http://www.alefilm.com/online.asp?replica-michael-kors-hamilton-striped-canvas-orange-white-b-3222.html]replica michael kors hamilton striped canvas orange white[/url]

  2. melo air jordan

    March 23, 2015 at 12:33 pm

    Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
    melo air jordan

  3. Do you have a spam problem on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; we have created some nice methods and we are looking to exchange methods with others, why not shoot me an e-mail if interested.

  4. ray ban wayfarer 901 2140 54mm

    March 23, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this outstanding blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
    ray ban wayfarer 901 2140 54mm

  5. Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Many thanks

  6. ray ban justin sunglasses polarized

    March 23, 2015 at 2:35 pm

    I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?
    ray ban justin sunglasses polarized

  7. michael kors coffee logo monogram totes

    March 23, 2015 at 2:51 pm

    Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share. Thank you!
    michael kors coffee logo monogram totes

  8. lv womens wallet wholesale

    March 23, 2015 at 2:54 pm

    I am curious to find out what blog platform you happen to be using? I’m experiencing some small security problems with my latest website and I’d like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any recommendations?
    lv womens wallet wholesale

  9. Howdy! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!

  10. Hi just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same outcome.

  11. Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!

  12. Shop For Air Max 2014 Orange Blue Womens

    March 23, 2015 at 6:51 pm

    Hey there! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the great work!

  13. Hey, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!

  14. Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your weblog? My blog site is in the very same niche as yours and my users would definitely benefit from a lot of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this okay with you. Thank you!

  15. lv wallet m60930

    March 23, 2015 at 8:29 pm

    Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the information you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, excellent blog!
    lv wallet m60930

  16. Discount Nike Air Max Tailwind 6 Mens

    March 23, 2015 at 9:58 pm

    When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!

  17. air jordan comfort max

    March 23, 2015 at 10:15 pm

    Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any recommendations for beginner blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.
    air jordan comfort max

  18. Free Running 3.0 Gray Mens Is For Everyone

    March 23, 2015 at 11:23 pm

    not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back in the future. Many thanks

  19. michael kors logo coffee totes sale

    March 24, 2015 at 12:43 am

    Whats up are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you need any coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!
    michael kors logo coffee totes sale

  20. lv porte document business black

    March 24, 2015 at 12:44 am

    The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
    lv porte document business black

  21. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Excellent work!
    replica michael kors fashion logo signature wallets black

  22. air jordan 10 gs cool grey

    March 24, 2015 at 12:52 am

    Along with everything which seems to be developing within this particular area, your perspectives happen to be rather stimulating. However, I appologize, but I can not give credence to your whole strategy, all be it exciting none the less. It would seem to us that your remarks are actually not completely rationalized and in reality you are yourself not really wholly convinced of your point. In any event I did appreciate examining it.
    air jordan 10 gs cool grey

  23. authentic louis vuitton m91566

    March 24, 2015 at 1:42 am

    Have you ever thought about writing an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based on the same topics you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.
    authentic louis vuitton m91566

  24. vintage louis vuitton real purses

    March 24, 2015 at 2:44 am

    Throughout the awesome pattern of things you get an A+ with regard to effort and hard work. Where you actually confused us was on the particulars. You know, people say, the devil is in the details… And it could not be more accurate in this article. Having said that, let me reveal to you what did do the job. Your authoring can be rather engaging and this is probably the reason why I am taking an effort to opine. I do not make it a regular habit of doing that. Next, while I can notice a leaps in reasoning you come up with, I am definitely not convinced of how you appear to connect your ideas which inturn produce your conclusion. For now I shall yield to your issue but wish in the near future you connect your dots better.
    vintage louis vuitton real purses

  25. ray ban perscription sunglasses

    March 24, 2015 at 2:57 am

    Thank you, I have recently been seeking for information about this subject for ages and yours is the best I have discovered so far.
    ray ban perscription sunglasses

  26. Heya outstanding blog! Does running a blog like this require a massive amount work? I have virtually no expertise in programming however I had been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyway, should you have any suggestions or techniques for new blog owners please share. I know this is off subject however I just needed to ask. Thanks a lot!
    best prices ray ban clubmaster tortoise shell

  27. When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Many thanks!

  28. michael kors black women

    March 24, 2015 at 6:45 am

    Have you ever thought about writing an ebook or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog based on the same information you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would value your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
    michael kors black women

  29. My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be exactly I’m looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content in your case? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on some of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome website!
    michael kors logo embossed leather red crossbody bags

  30. Cheap Air Max 90 Current Gray Mens

    March 24, 2015 at 7:08 am

    Do you have a spam issue on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; many of us have developed some nice methods and we are looking to exchange methods with others, why not shoot me an e-mail if interested.

  31. Howdy just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same outcome.

  32. Red Rhino Enhancement Pills

    December 10, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    Hi mates, its great article regarding cultureand fully explained,
    keep it up all the time.

  33. Evonne Petras

    August 14, 2019 at 1:00 pm

    YesterdayThe other dayToday, while I was at work, my sistercousin stole my iPadiphoneapple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a thirtyforty40twenty five2530 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPadapple ipad is now brokendestroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is completelyentirelytotally off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  34. Wilburn Greenblatt

    October 9, 2019 at 11:41 pm

    AwesomeTremendousRemarkableAmazing thingsissues here. I’mI am very satisfiedgladhappy to peerto seeto look your articlepost. Thank youThanks so mucha lot and I’mI am taking a looklookinghaving a look forwardahead to touchcontact you. Will you pleasekindly drop me a maile-mail?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2024 Ole Miss Football

Sat, Aug 31vs Furman W, 76-0
Sat, Sep 7vs Middle TennesseeW, 52-3
Sat, Sep 14@ Wake ForestW, 40-6
Sat, Sep 21vs Georgia SouthernW, 52-13
Sat, Sep 28vs KentuckyL, 20-17
Sat, Oct 5@ South CarolinaW, 27-3
Sat, Oct 12vs LSUL, 29-26 (2 OT)
Sat, Oct 26vs OklahomaW, 26-14
Sat, Nov 2@ ArkansasW, 63-35
Sat, Nov 16vs GeorgiaW, 28-10
Sat, Nov 23@ FloridaL, 24-17
Sat, Nov 30vs Mississippi StateW, 26-14