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Literary Literalness
Words have a way of taking on a life of their own, grasping the pen or keystrokes from the writer and venturing off into far and away tangents with no rescue line back to the original point in the first place. This, of course, begs the question of what was attempting to be answered in this evolving collection of increasingly obscure sentences? Where is the clarity, the weapon of choice for wordsmiths to make simple of the mysteries around us that results in before unknown and, therefore, profound revelations?
Let me take a second pass at this.
A scene from the upcoming film Genius starring Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Laura Linney captures the contentious, even torturous, relationship between writer and editor.
The process for great writers is often unconventional. Bottling the inspiration for the next great American novel is impossible to predict and anticipate. It happens when it happens for that patient, and ironically persistent, author. In rare circumstances, a finished product, after dozens of scratch-outs, edits and Whiskey splotches, upends the literary world.
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby comes to mind.
Fun Fact: Speaking of the late great Mr. Fitzgerald, Max Perkins (portrayed by Colin Firth) was his editor.
Returning to the clip above, Jude Law plays author Thomas Wolfe in what looks like a fascinating journey back to an age of literary giants in the early 20th century. Set for a June 10th release date, Genius is based on National Book Award winner Max Perkins: Editor of Genius.
Get ready to engage in another book vs. movie debate with notes of your own…
or edits, if you will.
Midnight in France
When living and breathing in the midst of the impossible transcends into a reality of playful imagination and limitless possibilities, then there’s not only a story there, but a delightful tale exposing the ambiguity and magical nature of love and life.
Throw in France nearly a century ago (a “golden age” to some) and a short guy with thick, black glasses from the Bronx and we can all take pleasure in traveling back to a time and place that will reveal something profound about ourselves today. Woody Allen is an iconic writer and director, while simultaneously defined as a controversial figure. However, taking the latter aside for a moment, it should be noted how he expanded his audience with his inspired 2011 hit Midnight in Paris. It seems as though Mr. Allen discovered a way to feature his usual band of intellectually obnoxious characters, but this time with a sense of humor that is well contrasted with a “normal,” romantic protagonist.
Ironically, the protagonist in Midnight in Paris (played by the free spirit Owen Wilson) appeared to be a younger, wide-eyed version of Woody himself.
Nonetheless, that was then and this is now.
Magic in the Moonlight comes to theaters (wait, don’t tell me…) on July 25th.
From Owen Wilson to Colin Firth.
Wait, forget that. This movie stars the beautiful, wonderfully amusing Emma Stone.
Okay, no need to explain the title.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 