Novelization of "Brokeback Mountain" movie: Who should do it?

[TechBear_Seattle]

The movie was based on a short story, but there is far more to the movie's story than in the original. So...

If (when?) a novelization of the movie is made, who do you think would be able to do a proper job?

[Cassandra]

1. Lynn Cheney?

She has so much practice. Maybe Dick instead?

[MADem]

2. The person who wrote the short story??? Unless they are dead

Otherwise, the screenwriters...but why gild the lily???

[joeybee12]

3. Annie Proulx wrote the short story--very much alive...

...doubt they'd do a novelization, though. Those tend to be done for big blockbusters. The audience for BB is--I belive--a littlemore sophisticated, and wouldn't buy the novelization.

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. This literary geek can hope, can't he?

I have usually enjoyed novelizations of movies over the movie itself. Get a good author, and all kinds of background gets filled in. We have a glimpse of why Ennis is so withdrawn and fearful of relationships in the movie, but I want to know more. We see nothing about why Jack lacks confidence in himself, only the results; and what were the consequences from his showing backbone to his father-in-law? What did Ennis and Jack do on their "fishing trips"? We know they didn't fish; that is how his wife knew something was going on. And it couldn't have been just sex all the time, I don't care how young and horny they were.

And I think the wives deserve some exploration. Did Alma know about Ennis ever since she saw him and Jack kissing? At what point did suspicion solidify? Did she even have words to describe what was happening? And Jack's wife, Lureen: she certainly seemed bitter when telling Ennis about Jack's death, bitter and perhaps a bit satisfied? Did she know what was going on? Could she have arranged it, or maybe it was her father?

I haven't read the short story yet (will be picking it up this afternoon, I think) but I can't imagine that it and the movie have more than a passing similarity, any more than "Total Recall" had much in common with the Philip K. Dick short story it was based on, "We Will Remember It For You Wholesale." Especially with the Oscar buzz and the recognition it has already received, I think a book version of the movie should be done.

[joeybee12]

10. I see your point...it actually could be a novel...wonder why Annie

went that route. There were enough characters to flesh it out into a novel. BTW, did you like the short story? I haven't read it, but I gather that the young woman who wants Ennis towards the end also has an affair with Ennis' daughter!

[xchrom]

8. annie proulx is not interested.

she has stated that she has moved on.

[Caoimhe]

4. It's a good short story.. but

I would love to see it rewritten in novel form by Larry McMurtry, the GOD of Western & Western Romance novels.

[TechBear_Seattle]

6. I'm not familiar with Larry McMurtry

He writes westerns and western romances; do you think he would be able to handle a same-sex period piece like this, and do it justice? My fear is that the writer will emphasize this as a scandalous bit of adultery that shamed both men and gave them both exactly what they deserved, and say nothing about the attitudes they had to live with or the many reasons why their story unfolded as it did.

[Caoimhe]

7. Well he wrote the screenplay for Brokeback Mtn...

along with his writing partner Diane Ossana... And is also the author of Lonesome Dove (he got a Pulitzer for it), Terms of Endearment, The Last Picture Show, etc. I fell in love with his writing a few years and have since read just about everything he's done. His books often feature homosexuals and many unique individuals with various flaws and gifts. Scandal is nothing new. His characters often have fidelity problems and great highs and lows. He truly is a great writer.

I loved the short story that Brokeback Mtn is based on, and it was a great backbone to create an epic film with, but the it is short, rough and often disjointed. The film is great because of McMurtry's adaptation (in my not so humble opinion)!!

Another shameless plug for my favorite author. Go Larry! I hope he wins an Oscar for Best Screenplay for this! oh yeah, he's a LIBERAL too! ***bonus***

:yourock:

[TechBear_Seattle]

9. Ah!

If he wrote the screenplay, I think he would be a great choice then. Thanks, I'll seek out more of his stuff.