So, apparently Esquire has seen The Road — the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning and Oprah-endorsed apocalyptic novel — and has labeled it the most important movie of the year. A bit early for such a grandiose proclamation, dontchathink? After all, The Road won’t even be in theaters until Oct. 16 (it was delayed a year from its original November 2008 release date to provide additional time for post-production work).
I’m looking forward to seeing The Road, even though I became so frustrated with McCarthy’s repetitious language that I never finished the book. Yet, being constantly told how "gray" the world is and actually seeing that apocalyptic wasteland are two very different things, and the movie version of The Road will benefit from having a director with an imposing visual style. That director is John Hillcoat, an Aussie whose last film, 2005’s The Proposition, worked because of its authentically filthy atmosphere (rarely have swarming flies and human sweat played such significant roles). I’m eager to find out what Hillcoat does with McCarthy’s colorless American landscape; if anything, The Road should look great.
But, back to the issue at hand: The most important movie of 2009? Please. That title should be reserved for one, and only one, movie: James Cameron’s Avatar. The future of Hollywood seems to be riding on that film’s shoulders. If Cameron can turn his mega-budget experiment into a critical and commercial smash, Avatar may very well signal the dawn of a new era of digital 3-D filmmaking. But if the sci-fi epic flounders on arrival, it’s back to the drawing board.
Or am I wrong, PopWatchers? Is there another movie coming out this year that’s even more "important" than Avatar? And fans of The Road: How optimistic are you for the movie adaptation?
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“important” referring to our times, not to the advancement of cinema.
I couldn’t get past the first 50 pages of that book. I could not see where the plot was actually going to come into play, and I don’t read to be depressed about life. That being said, I LOVED The Proposition…so…I’m intrigued.
one of the best books of 2007. i’m actually looking forward to the road more than avatar, even though i realize avatar will blow my mind.
i think 500 days of summer is going to be a fairly important movie this year because some of the most memorable movies of each generation have been the great romantic comedies. There’s Annie Hall, When Harry Met Sally, Harold & Maude, Breakfast at Tiffany’s- the list goes on and on. Each of these movies defies a time period and the life style and the romances going on behind them and I think 500 days of summer is going to be our generations true portrayal of our modern romance.
Fabulous book! I’m hoping the movie can capture the feel of the book – it has a good shot, imo , Viggo can do anything!
don’t know about the ‘most important’ movie of 2009 but it certainly could be the most thought provoking!
who is reading esquire???
Maybe The Road is more important than Avatar, because it is an actual story, something people can connect to. And not simply a fan boy explosion of CG. Let’s hope Hollywood keeps making real movies like The Road and not just 2 hour companion pieces for video games like Avatar.
I LOVED the Road…..it speaks about humanity on so many levels and if this movie comes close it could live up to that hype…
John-
You know you’re right, why open it up to us nunks? Besides, The Road is Cormac softening up. Film Blood Meridian you spineless sissies! Cohen brothers and Oprah are the only reasons this got a green light. Oh, Viggo Mortensen is awesome. Don’t leave the craft compadre, there’ll be no one left to hold the damn thing up.
Boycott Canadian Sea Food! End the bloody massacre!
Um, when they say “important,” I think they mean socially important. As in, it deals with themes that matter for the times. It’s not “important” in that it’s going to change Hollywood, like Avatar supposedly will.
The book is quite beautiful, and its spare qualities match the story. It’s nice to see writers like McCarthy who understand that more isn’t always better.
The Road was one of the bleakest books I have ever read. I can’t wait for the movie, but honestly I don’t think mainstream audiences are going to go for it.
“important” referring to our times, not to the advancement of cinema.
Ditto, Ditto, Ditto! The author has obviously lost the point of the book, Esquire’s title and his persepective.
That’s what Esquire said about “Two Lane Blacktop” in 1971. And they were right.
*sigh* yet AGAIN, an EW writer/blogger/whatever takes a statement made by the media literally and makes the publication look stupid *shakes head*
Can someone please explain why Avatar will be revolutionary? What exactly is the “experiment”? I consider myself a movie geek, but I haven’t heard anything about Avatar. So if you could let me know, thanks. Also, I really am looking forward to The Road. The sparse language and desolate imagery of the book should really lend itself well to a film. Plus in these times, I think a story about the apocalyptic end of the earth and how people can (or cannot) survive through it will be quite potent.
I for one would like to support the making of “Blood Meridian”. Or–and this may be heresy on many levels and of different sorts to different people–”The Crossing”, the most important book of the Border Trilogy. Now that would be a feat of adaptation. (Not like the drained, sad thing that was the Damon/Cruz “All the Pretty Horses”.)
I read the book in a day – it was one of those that I just decided to read the whole thing in one sitting because I couldn’t imagine going back and picking it up again part way through.
That being said – I’m not sure I want to see the movie. I think sometimes books are meant to stay books and not be made into movies. I think a lot of things are lost in the translation to the screen, and not just the deleted scenes.
Repetitious language in a book can be brutal – see Twilight, Neww Moon or Eclipse. As for most importent movie of the year, that title of course belongs to “Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus”
Gee whiz… a book about the end of the world as we know it. ::yawn::
The Road was the best book I’ve ever read. It’s permanently ingrained in my head. This book is the pinnacle when it comes to parental love for a child.
How in Hades could you have not finished the book? You’re really depriving yourself.
The Road was the best book I’ve ever read. It’s permanently ingrained in my head. This book is the pinnacle when it comes to parental love for a child.
How in Hades could you have not finished the book? You’re really depriving yourself.
I loved The Road in book form, but I honestly can’t imagine trying to stomach it as a film. As many have said, it’s a story that I’ll never forget. Also, it may be an ‘important’ film, but it certainly won’t be a popular one – once word gets out to the mainstream about both its content and how it ends (if the film stays true to the novel), the idiots who freaked out at the ’surprise’ ending of Marley & Me will stay away in droves.
Clearly it is AVATAR. It is a $300m+ epic space adventure using performance capture stereoscopic 3D technology. It is this generation’s STAR WARS and a whole lot more. Already other directors have changed their way of doing things after seeing AVATAR being shot: Spielberg, Jackson, Soderbergh etc. Even Ridley Scott will shot a sci-fi in 3D now after witnessing AVATAR – he vowed to never shot another one because “it had all been done before”. Guess you CAN teach and old dog new tricks. And it is 3D.
Don’t kid yourself. AVATAR is the movie of the decade if not a generation let alone 2009. Be certain of that.
-Jim Dorey
MarketSaw.com
3D Movies & Technology
I think someone who never even finished the book shouldn’t really be saying anything about the movie potential.
I must fully agree with Erica on this one. Read the book through to the END first to realize and understand its themes, and THEN comment on the story’s relative importance, or lack thereof, to cinema this year.
Cameron has been one of the most overrated directors in Hollywood for many years. I’m not even sure I’ll go to see Avatar. Cameron has been a horrible proponent of style over substance for a long time.
While I’m looking forward to seeing The Road very much and loved the book and the Esquire article, it may not be “The Most Important Movie of the Year.” But, I don’t think it’ll be a movie everyone will forget come awards season either. John Hillcoat is an interesting, if overwhelming, director, if his work on The Proposition is any indication.
The Road is one of the best books written in recent fiction. Everyone should watch it but most people choose blockbusters before thought provoking films. The average film goer doesn’t want to think, they want someone to do it for them. Really the Avatar as the most important film? Blockbusters are a dime a dozen and Avatar is no different than hundreds of action/summer movies another one comes along a week later.
The Road is one of the best books written in recent fiction. Everyone should watch it but most people choose blockbusters before thought provoking films. The average film goer doesn’t want to think, they want someone to do it for them. Really the Avatar as the most important film? Blockbusters are a dime a dozen and Avatar is no different than hundreds of action/summer movies another one comes along a week later.
You didn’t manage to finish the book?? If you had and had understood what it’s trying to say you might have got why it could be the most important film in 2009. There is a world beyond your narrow cultural horizon.