Originally Posted by Karen 29th September 2006


Without giving away the ending..

What do you think attracted Johnny to this particular book?

Deppraved


I always have a tough time with this question. I think Johnny is a little like me, in that he reacts to a book on a gut level and can't articulately explain the reasons, but I'm probably wrong about that.

I'd love to have Johnny explain it to me, over coffee. (Would 10 AM Saturday at Borders be convenient for you, Johnny?

Irish1967


In recent weeks, I have seen the following Johnny movies...

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Chocolat (as much as I love CJS, I think Roux is my favorite so far!)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Finding Neverland

I have Donnie Brasco sitting on my VCR, but haven't had the chance to see it yet.

Anyway, it seems to mean that Johnny likes movies that are multi-layered. The top layer would be general entertainment. By this I mean, I can go to the theater and spend $9.50 and really enjoy myself for 2 hours. Go home and say, I liked that movie. End of story.

But underneath the top layer, are other layers - the meaning of freedom and being a good man, acceptance of people who don't fit the norm, family and what it means to you etc. If a person watches any of the movies I've seen so far, and decides to dig below the surface, there is substance there to dig into.

I think People's Act of Love will probably fit the bill.

Personally, instead of coffee at Borders, I picture myself sitting down and talking about it with Johnny sitting in a sidewalk cafe, somewhere in Europe (just doesn't work in Chicago) with a bottle of red wine between us (in a purely platonic way, of course - I'm married to the man of my dreams, which, in fact, does not change the factor!)

Karen


What about this story do you all think spoke to him? The overall storyline? The characters?

Herestoyou


Good question about why Johnny likes this book. I've heard him say before in interviews he's a history nerd, so maybe that whole aspect was appealing. It does deal a lot with people considered "outsiders" and we know that has been his bent throughout his acting career as far as characters. I also think the writing style is appealing, lots of history, great integration of characters, many character conflicts, and just the way Meek uses prose. As many of us have said, we were confused in some of the opening chapters, reread some parts and then when you find out info. later in the book and how it all tied together, it really is a wonderful work. I know Meek has saidhe didnt' intend any parallels to today's world, but I definitely think there are. People with extremist views taking action is currently happening all aroumd the world.

Karen


I think he may be interested in the unusal stories and the different subject matter...he always likes the out cast, and this book is full of them! LOL He seeks out something different, something just a bit outside of the box.

People with extremist views taking action has always been happening. Extremists of all factions, on any side of any thing are the ones who act. Meek is an interesting writer, I can't wait to get his replies to our questions.

Nurseanne8


I agree with the previous responses and do not have any idea why JD bought this book except it fits his "MO" when one looks at the other books his production company has optioned. The character's protrayed in this book definitely are similaiar to the type of characters in other Depp movies. I am curious to see how a screen play would deal with the castration and cannabalism issues-and not scare off the audience. Question would this be an "art" film instead of a big budget Hollywoord production?

Karen


It would depend on how the producers and studio want to handle it. Lots of big films deal with "iffy" subjects. This won't be a POTC or CATCF, but it sure could be a wide release art house film. Finding Neverland was a wide release art house film as was Brokeback Mountain.

Nurseanne8


I agree Hollywood has dealth with controversial subjects but I have not seem a movie with the themes of cannabalism and castration-and I would definitely pay to see such a movie.

Karen


I don't know that I have seen these in a movie either, and if they were woven into a storyline of a film as well as these were done in the book, I'd definitely see it.

Herestoyou

I definitely agree with that, too. However, this is what is in the forefront of all the media right now, i.e. terrorism, so it especially brings these views out. One could argue that any war is the result of extremism which is why I believe part of the reason the book has received so much attention in today's times.

Nurseanne8


Well put herestoyou-also I noted some similarity between Matula and Hitler and Meek's experience as a reporter had to impact his prose for this book.

Deppraved


It's true there isn't a single character that isn't very broken, and a tumultous time period...all very real, it doesn't get much more dramatically themed than this, without the mush factor!

Perhaps this does answer the question!

Herestoyou


Good connection-Matula and Hitler-evil in human form.