Cool News
John Irving's personal thoughts on Simon Birch.
This should clear up doubts about the original writer's feeling concerning the "libertys" taken with his novel in the screen adaptation SIMON BIRCH.
Now on to the meat...
I am a Senior Publicist at Disney/Hollywood Pictures. Here is the full
text of
a letter John Irving wrote to Mark Steven Johnson after seeing SIMON BIRCH.
I
think your readers will find this very interesting and it will help put to
rest
some of the furor from the "Owen Meany" purists that has been posted in
"Talk
Back."
Harry, I hope you'll post this. It's words from Irving himself about his
thoughts on the adaptation. I'm plugging it in here as well as attaching
it. I
hope to see it on the site SOON.
JOHN IRVING responds to SIMON BIRCH
For thirteen years I have been writing and rewriting my screenplay of
"The
Cider House Rules," for four different directors. The first, Phillip
Borsos,
died; the fourth, the Swedish director Lasse HallstrOm, will direct the
picture
for Miramax this September -- Richard Gladstein (the Film Colony) producer.
For eight years I have been writing and rewriting my screenplay of "A
Son of
the Circus," for one director (Martin Bell) from the beginning. That film
is
supposed to go into production, in India, in January of '99 - with Jeff
Bridges
in the role of the missionary.
And, since the winter of 1994, I have also begun and completed my ninth
novel, "A Widow for One Year."
In short, I decided almost ten years ago that I was too busy to attempt
to
write a screenplay of "A Prayer for Owen Meany," in addition to feeling
that the
issue of an alleged religious miracle would prove harder to film that it
was to
write about, and that I had neither the desire nor the stamina to revisit
the
Vietnam years. (In the sixties, I hated the sixties; in retrospect, I hate
the
decade even more.)
Therefore, when Mark Steven Johnson approached me not to write a
screenplay
of "A Prayer for Owen Meany" but to allow him to write and direct the
picture, I
was very happy to let him try. My conditions were demanding. I am both
surprised that Caravan accepted my terms and grateful to them that they
did. I
said I wanted to read the shooting script and decide at that time if I
wanted
them to use my title and the names of my characters. Mark agreed.
I read the script, which I liked; it's a good story. But I felt that
Mark's
story was markedly different from the story of "Owen Meany"; I felt it
would
mislead the novel's many readers to see a film of that same title which was
so
different from the book.
I respect Mark's decision not to include the Vietnam War as the period
for
the film, although that period was what compelled me to write the novel in
the
first place. It was not Mark's period. I also respect that he softened
the
degree to which Owen Meany/Simon Birch is himself a religious miracle. In
"A
Prayer for Owen Meany," Owen Meany is a miracle; in "Simon Birch," that
character is prescient to an unusual degree but he is not literally
miraculous.
Yet Simon's curiosity regarding "God's plan" for him makes him more than a
character in mere destiny's hands. That part of the film feels very close
to
the spirit of the novel, although there are (of course) literal
differences. In
any case the larger differences between the novel and the screenplay --
Vietnam
and the nature of a religious miracle -- made me ask Mark to come up with a
different title for his movie, and to rename my characters.
The film is essentially true to the
novel's first chapter, and to the situation of the narrator not knowing who
his
father is at the time of his mother's death. Mark was honest with me from
the
beginning that this was his principal interest, and I think he told that
story
extremely well.
I also like how he changed Owen's obsession with dunking a basketball
to
holding his breath underwater -- brilliant! That works very well, and the
feeling is the same.
But "Simon Birch" is really Mark Steven Johnson's story -- with "Owen
Meany'"s beginning. I think it was, therefore, a happy resolution for both
Mark
and me that he was able to make his film, which clearly was "suggested by"
(as
credits say) "A Prayer for Owen Meany," but which is clearly not "A Prayer
for
Owen Meany."
I saw the film on Monday, August 24, in Los Angeles. It was what I
expected
to see -- a good, new story that takes as its starting point the first
chapter
of "A Prayer for Owen Meany" and goes somewhere else with it. I enjoyed
it. I
thought Ashley Judd was terrific as the mother and Oliver Platt was
wonderful as
the mother's suitor. (Naturally I liked the Voice Over, too.)
Another noteworthy point of difference between the novel and the film
is the
sense of humor. Mark's character of Simon is a virtual stand-up comic --
much
of the comedy in the film comes from one-liners. The comedy of the novel
comes
less from dialogue that from the overall situation the characters find
themselves in. Mark also does this well. The Sunday-school teacher is
more
than a memorable character; she's a great situation. (The humor in
dialogue was
also a sizable difference between the film of "The World According to Garp"
and
that novel, too. Steve Tesich's "Garp" screenplay made a similar use of
one-
liners. I don't really write comic dialogue.)
And, in the case of "Owen Meany"/"Simon Birch," the uses made of the
Christmas pageant scene are also very different; both scenes are
interesting,
maybe moreso for their differences. I took my seven-year-old to both a
theatrical version of Owen Meany's Christmas pageant (in Seattle, last
Christmas) and to the "Simon Birch" film. He loved them both.
I think Mark and I have had an admirable relationship. We've been
candid to
each other and we respect each
other. It was simply impossible for me to be close to, or feel involved
with, a
production of "Owen Meany" as a film -- not while I was writing two other
screenplays and a new novel.
I think it took a lot of courage for Mark to push ahead with his vision
of
"Owen Meany," knowing from the beginning that it was unlikely I would
permit him
to use my title or the names of my characters. I like "Simon Birch" as a
title,
too. Mark and I discussed many other possible titles, among them "A Small
Miracle," which was my idea, but I like his idea better.
I wish the film well, and I tell readers of "Owen Meany" that they
should go
see it. They'll find much in it that is remindful of the novel, and
sizable
differences, too. I think of the film as more of an interpretation of a
novel
than as a movie "based on" a novel. I know Mark would agree.
As for the more general topic of the translation of novel to film, I
can
speak with more authority on that subject in the cases of the two novels of
mine
that I have adapted for the screen -- as I told you, "The Cider House
Rules" and
"A Son of the Circus" -- but the proper time to address that subject is
when
those films have been shot and are ready to be released.
Michael Moses
-
+ Expand All
-
Doesn't this mean that there can now be no direct movie interpretation of the book because another movie with a different story and title has locked up the screen rights? That's pretty ludicrous.
-
No...I think that the rights revert back to Irving after some period of time. I mean, look at the number of adapatations of "classic" literary novels...how many versions of "Tale of Two Cities" are there?
-
Geez, I still agree with Moriarty.
Irving is obviously dancing around here. Putting icing on the cake. I mean he HAS to know any screen play is going to be different than the original novel, that is obvious. All this proves is he managed to rip off the mouse for a bunch of money and got away with it. It's this Disney suit that is the real clown in this scenario, somehow trying to convince us that Irving wants anything at all to do with this saccharine, empty shell of a movie. They let a talentless goofball try to rewrite it and Irving pulled away from this mess as far as possible with as much as possible.Nice job.
One has to admit he plays the political game very well. -
Actually, what this proves is that Disney is aware of the power that this site and us, it's loyal band of filmic critics, have. I say good job, though it does put Disney in an unglamorous light. I am beginning to think that Disney worries a little too much about it's relation to the masses--this is evidenced by their continuous bowing to th religious right idiots out there. Instead, Disney should remain aloof, unworried, I believe, that any of us can actually do much harm to them.
This should be true of how they handle ABC,(Ellen etc.)the parks(changing Pirates, or dismantling Mr.Toad and religious outcries about "Gay Days")and to how they handle their movies(artistic additions to the cartoons, or pandering). You don't see Lucas sending out an E-mail everytime some rumour gets spread, or worse yet making one of his writers do it for him. I am all for us fans affecting the main texts in the media,Babylon Five, X-files being excellent examples of this reflexivity,but Disney needs to make sure that unlimited creativity is their primary goal.
-
Much of this "letter" from John Irving was part of a newspaper story in the Toronto Star September 2, 1998 where both Steven Johnson and Irving were quoted on their thoughts between the book and the script/movie. The story is a lot more comprehensive than this letter.
-
come on. what is that when a person is honest and nice he's being a politician? that was Irving being a nice, open guy. an artist without an ego too big to appreciate fine writing. as a writer i might not like someone taking my characters somewhere i know they wouldn't go. but Irving saw a good tale, obviously, when he read SIMON BIRCH. he didn't get mad and tyranical. so what. if you've read Irving then you know his work is more about accepting life as it is and getting on with it whenever tragedy interrupts.
so guys, get on with it, Irving's a nice guy. sorry that ruins your acidic view of life.
m.k. smith http://rampages.onramp.net/~klickink -
Disney bowing to the religious right? Since when? If you recall, it was people on the left (feminists) who were upset about the Pirates thing. And I'm willing to bet Ellen would still be on if the ratings hadn't plummeted. Have they cancelled Gay Days? Not that I'm aware of. Try to get your facts right before you call other people "idiots".
-
Does anyone know if (a) Jim Carry is somehow in this movie, maybe as the narrator, and (b), that the author of Owen Meany also wrote a fantastic book called THE CIDER HOUSE RULES---it's a masterpiece
Hmmmmm. .. anything else? Uh, I guess I'd like to see this movie. It has a fair preview and Ashley Judd is a demi-goddess. The kid looks like he can act too. -
Yes, Jim Carrey is in the movie, but only as a narrator. His casting is the one thing I can't stand about the film so far as a fan of the novel. to me, the narrator should be more methodical and plodding. Also, the idea of having the narrator have a kid and name him "Simon" is just WAY out of line with the book. All of Irving's work is brilliant, although his last two books, especially A SON OF THE CIRCUS, have been less than optimal.
-
I saw SIMON BIRCH last night at a sneak and liked it, though not nearly as much as I would have if the film didn't have the SINGLE MOST NAUSEATING, TREACLY, ANNOYING MUSICAL SCORE IN THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF CINEMA. The music was slathered over every scene, overwhelming the delicate scenes with cutesy goo. Mark Shaiman should have his composer's license taken away from him and be sent to a lifetime sentence in movie jail without possibility of parole. Yes, this is the WORST SCORE IN MOVIE HISTORY, rivaled perhaps only by Bill Conti's inept pseudo Warner Bros. cartoon music in Belushi and Ayckroyd's NEIGHBORS. The CD should be standard issue for renegade CIA agents interested in its uses as a weapon of torture. AAAARGHHHH. Shame on you Mark Steven Johnson for vomiting all over your otherwise charming film in this way.
-
Okay, I think this letter is bullshit! First, the author says that he is writing this letter to Mark Steven Johnson. Yes, the author does continually refer to Johnson in the third person. Not to mention, why would Iring need to apologize to Johnson or Disney for that matter?
Second, the author of this letter claims that he has been writing the screenplay for "Son of the Circus,' for the past eight years. I might be wrong about this, but has "Son of the Circus," even been out for eight years? Maybe it is just that I read it three years ago, so I assumed that it came out at that time.
Third, does this even seem like Irving's writing style to anyone else who has read him? It doesn't to me at all, especially the way he talks about his other movie deals. As a matter of fact, it sounds much more the type of terminology that an evil suit would use. Say, someone in the publicity department for Disney.
Is there any way to get some confirmation from Irving, himself, Harry?
I don't want to sound like some obsessed Irving fan. Personally, I had already decided to see Simon Birch and to try to use a bit of perspective and do exactly what the letter suggests - not view it as a version of Owen Meaney, at all.
However, this type of misrepresentation will not be tolerated! There is noooooo way that I will see this movie not, that you have tried to pass yourself off as THE MAN!
Why not, claim you have a letter from Hemingway explaining why it is that "To Have and Have Not" really didn't bastardize the original text? Or what about a personal testimony from Nathaniel Hawthorne's ghost that he thought Demi's alternative ending to the Scarlett Letter really kicked ass! Oh yeah, he said her tits looked great, too!
Your bluff has been called! As Irving WOULD say, "BULLSHIT FLOATS!" -
Okay, judging from the Toronto Star thing someone else posted, this was assembled from interviews...I don't think you'd see Irving being as nice if he'd kept "Owen Meany." In fact, I imagine Irving would be just about as 'nice' as he was about low-income Vermonters when the state threatened to raise his taxes (I believe the exact comment involved snot-faced kids living in trailer parks, but I don't remember for sure.) He made them change the name to "Simon Birch" and the credit to "inspired by"...this film is no longer "Owen Meany." Therefore, Irving can be generous to it-- as a film only 'inspired by' his work-- without undermining the fact that it is *NOT* Owen Meany. As an Owen Meany adaptation, it obviously blows.
As an 'inspired by'...I'd have to see the film (though it looked like "Tiny Tim Comes to America" to me, all right...sigh...)
As for rights, I would guess Irving sold 'em one-time rights to make one picture...that (I think) is the way it usually works...and the reason "Tale of Two Cities" has been remade as often as it had is 'cause the copyright expired...therefore no one has to pay royalties. -
1. The New York Times published an article last Wednesday or Thursday, I think--which I sent to Harry, that contained an interview with Irving. the interview did deal with several of the points presented in the letter and said almost exactly the same thing.
2. On the "Son of the Circus" issue. "Son of the Circus" the book IS far less than 8 years old. However, if you read Irving's author's note in the book, you'll find that he mentions he's been working on a screenplay with the same title, but with a completely different plot, for quite some time and has been constantly retooling it.
Now a question--
How "select" are we talking when they say select cities? Are we talking top 20 markets, which means I, in Memphis, get screwed. Are we talking major cities but limited screens, a la "Amistad?" Or are we talking something else entirely? -
It strikes me as both frightening and sad that you all sit here and debate with ardent fervor whether or not this letter was written by John Irving. The real issue is SLAPPING you in the face and you IGNORE it. I refer, of course, to Ashley Judd. Does the fact that this woman is an alien being mean nothing to any of you? Owen Meany/Simon Birch, a religious miracle?? SO? Dammit, men, I tell you we have a visitor from the skies beyond living in Judd's body, evident to anyone who listens to that calm, eerie, even voice coming out of that mouth. I, for one, intend to see Simon Birch if only to see religion and science... joined as one... at last. P.S. My point: Relax, kiddies... good films are rare enough to come by as it is. If you find one, appreciate it, no matter what.
-
You've stumbled upon the truth of entertainment news --- the articles you read and the clips you see on Entertainment Tonight are merely regurgitated from official studio publicity.
Why do you think Irving is writing a Disney publicist in the first place? It's so the publicist can turn around and send the same ready-made quotes to all the entertainment reporters in North America.
It should be obvious that this is not a 'letter' from a gifted novelist, but an instant interview from an smart man avoiding controversy. -
I really can't understand why everyone is getting so het-up over the authenticity - or not - of the Irving letter. It is a remarkably even-handed and generous evaluation of the problems inherent in adapting a novel for the screen. Too, it's entirely consistent with his writing style (check the use of semicolons and counterpoint);as well as his philosophy as eludicated in the work. In all, I found it a most inspiring bit of commentary - call me gullible if you wish. And Irving is an unmitigated genius.
-
First, let me say that I did not read the earlier responses, so pardon me if I repeat their points somewhat.
While I was heartened to read that Mr. Irving considers the movie worth seeing, I consider it a shame that Hollywood, yet again, has failed to realize that it is the story that matters. To take what I feel to be Mr. Irving's finest work and reduce its impact to presumably make it more palatable to a wider audience verges on literary rape.
That may seem strong when viewed alongside Mr. Irving's own opinion of the finished movie, I must add -- to be fair -- that I have not seen it yet. That in itself makes my criticisms less than valid. I will be too curious NOT to see it, and I would prefer to be proven wrong. Sadly, the chances are that my assessment will be vindicated.
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 419 total posts 209 posts
- WTF HOLLYWOOD: SOLARBABIES -- 131 total posts 129 posts
- Herc’s Seen Tonight’s Return Of THE WALKING DEAD!! Discuss Also DOWNTON ABBEY, FEAR FACTOR, PAN AM, ONCE, SIMPSONS, DYNAMITE, LUCK, SHAMELESS, BAIT CAR, THE GRAMMYS And More!! Sunday Is Sweeps Day 11!! -- 123 total posts 122 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 124 total posts 58 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 191 total posts 47 posts
- Avid Comic Reader Hercules Does Battle With Tedium During Kevin Smith’s COMIC BOOK MEN! -- 43 total posts 43 posts
- If the Behind the Scenes Pics of the Day drops her pen, pick it up, but don’t look at her legs or else it will be on your record. -- 60 total posts 42 posts
- I am The Behind the Scenes Pics of the Day! No, I’m the Behind the Scenes Pic of the Day! -- 27 total posts 27 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 506 total posts 26 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 77 total posts 24 posts