DarkHorizons.Com's Most Notable Films of 2011
On the Road
Opens: 2011
Cast: Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Viggo Mortensen, Amy Adams
Director: Walter Salles
Summary: Sal Paradise, a writer holed up in a room at his aunt's house, gets inspired by Dean Moriarty to hit the road and see America. From the moment he gets on the seven train out of New York City, he begins a journey that explores the highs and lows of hitchhiking, bonding with fellow explorers and opting for beer before food.
Analysis: The term 'long gestating' film takes on a whole new meaning with this adaptation of what many consider the definitive novel of the Beat Generation. For over over five decades now there's been talk of a film adaptation of Jack Kerouac's autobiographical book about his time spent traveling America in the 1940's with his friend Neal Cassady. Kerouac wanted to play his literary counterpart Sal himself alongside Marlon Brando as the Cassady-inspired Dean back in the late 50's when the book first came out.
@vonch
More under the CUT
"The Godfather" director Francis Ford Coppola tried several times to get an adaptation going, one time with Brad Pitt and Ethan Hawke, but that fell through. Joel Schumacher tried a version with Billy Crudup and Colin Farrell, that didn't come together either. It wasn't until about six years ago that Coppola convinced Brazilian director Walter Salles ("The Motorcycle Diaries") to direct the film and production got underway at last. In preparation, Salles shot a documentary taking the same road trip as Sal Paradise and speaking to other Beat poets who knew Kerouac.
Armed with a $25 million budget and much of the same crew who shot "The Motorcycle Diaries", filming got underway in August in Montreal with the cast undergoing a month-long "beatnik boot camp" where they all learned about the Beat Generation. Shooting also took place in New Orleans, San Francisco, Calgary, Arizona, Mexico and Argentina.
The casting has raised some eyebrows with Sam Riley ("Control," "Brighton Rock") as Sal, Garrett Hedlund ("Tron: Legacy," "Troy") as Dean and Kristen Stewart ("Twilight") as Mary Lou. The supporting roles seem on slightly stronger footing with Viggo Mortensen and Tom Sturridge cast as the equivalents of William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg respectively. Steve Buscemi, Terrence Howard, Amy Adams, and Kirsten Dunst also have key roles.
All the key cast have had plenty of time to get ready, Hedlund for example says he prepared for the role for essentially three years. Shot throughout the last half of 2010, filming was done almost "guerrilla style" according to the actors with minimal crew members on hand to lend an almost documentary feel to the proceedings. Reviews of the script have been raves and Salles will certainly bring his A-game to the material. The only question now is will this stand up to the scrutiny that comes when any film is adapted from a beloved novel that's considered one of the defining works of a generation.
4 comments:
Finally OTR is getting some mentions!
Although I didn't like the implication that the casting of the 3 leads "has raised some eyebrows". Sometimes we don't give young people enough credit simply because their young-and I'm not talking about just in the area of acting. There are terrific young people accomplishing great things everyday and we shouldn't discount them out of hand just because their young and/or unestablished. Talent is ageless. And if anything comments like the one about Sam, Garrett, and Kristen show lack of confidence in the quite respected director and producers to choose the best actors for these characters. I think if it took so long to make this movie and these actors were finally chosen, that's saying something pretty impressive. And the "slightly stronger" supporting cast doesn't seem to be "raising any eyebrows" about working along side these 3 so why should anyone else?
Hmmm interesting, can't wait this movie, will be amazing!
V
I become so happy seeing Kristen's movie get attention,I have read the book about 3 months ago it is an amazing and very demanding one very Kristenish book,Kristen also loves this book,hope it will get nominated in Oscar(esp Kristen for her role as Marlyou)
@Maka hi dear how are you hope you are feeling better take care sweetie,hug and kisses to you.
tanx S.for the countdown of WFE,love it.
Having read "On The Road" many times throughout the years, I have to say any cast, especially leading was going to raise eyebrows.
I think they made wise choices, but as a huge Kerouac fan, you can ask any of us, this story in particular tends to become very personal. It's going to be hard for a lot of people to accept ANY cast, and I'm assuming Marylou's story has changed to give Kristen more time on screen and to flesh the story out (In the novel Marylou is not a main character, in real life her time with Kerouac was also brief) but hopefully they will do a good job.
I think this has great potential and is an opportunity for her to shine. It's a big responsibility and I think she will might blow people away.
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