Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Timeless classic, or ready for an update?
Every now and then there is talk of remaking "Sunset Boulevard." Heck, even Gloria Swanson wanted to do a musical theater version, but with Norma becoming a mother figure, blessing Joe and Betty's relationship in a happy ending (the studio blocked this, wanting to preserve the story). Do you think "Sunset Boulevard is due for an update because it would be better told with stars who are more recognizable, or do you think the story stands as is?
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9 comments:
Well sure, do a remake if you want the critics to skin you using sandpaper and salt. The bar is too high and the movie a too perfect fit for its era. We haven’t had the equivalent of a transition from silent to talkies, and we have now had movie superstars for several generations instead of just one. I think a straight remake would be hopeless. But there might be some promise in a self-conscious “pomo” film where the principles fret that they are falling into a Sunset Boulevard story. It would still depend crucially on who played the aging star. Suggestions?
I agree. A remake would be a travesty and almost certainly a disaster.
Has anyone seen anything of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical? A movie version with Glenn Close is supposedly in the works for 2008.
I'm trying to think of women around the right age ... at least 50 ... who have moved on to more elderly or supporting roles. I think of someone like Susan Sarandon, or Sigourney Weaver, who have such character that I don't think audiences could buy into their being vain or insecure. The actress would have to be a bit of a personal train wreck.
You know, like Liza Minneli.
What with surgery, growth factors, and whatnot, you would need to go well beyond 50 these days. It would help to have somebody who hasn’t made any movies for a decade or so.
Liza Minneli? Interesting thought....
Jessica Lange comes to mind. She has that barely sane thing going on sometimes.
Meryl Streep could do it because she can do anything.
I don't see the point in a remake, at least not, as DW said, a straightforward remake. You could do a version, though, with an aging homosexual, a figurative queen of the big screen, like a Rock Hudson or Laurence Olivier type, who was closeted and who is now living in an age when most people are out and proud. And you could have him spurn modern "vulgarities" like rainbow flags and flagrant sexuality and identity politics — and have him pine for the old sophisticated days when, he imagines, being gay was more like belonging to an exclusive country club with secret rites.
Valentino is mentioned a few times in "Sunset." He was the first male sex object of the silver screen — and, ironically, totally gay. That would be a good story: old queen tragically trapped in glory days.
I remember reading about Glenn Close -- she supposedly would play opposite Ewan McGregor. I think Faye Dunaway would also be a good choice.
But I kinda think to keep in the spirit of the way they cast the first film it would have to be a forgotten-type star who did lose it a bit: Margot Kidder.
Actually, kc, bringing up the gay angle reminds me of what could be a nice companion piece: "Gods and Monsters."
Oh, good call on "Gods and Monsters," G. That would be a good companion piece.
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