My all-time, hands-down favorite book in the entire world (I'm really into it, if you couldn't tell) is The Handmaid's Tale. We had to read it in IB English Senior year of high school, but to say that I simply "liked" it would be the understatement of the year. Still know quotes ("Sinfully scrabbling, quick eat your words", anybody?) and if you handed me a xeroxed page with the page number blacked out right this second, I could give you its placement in the plot, the symbolism, and the overall significance. Literally obsessed.
Unfortunately for me, the beautiful writing of Margaret Atwood was turned into a horrible film-adaptation starring the late Natasha Richardson (RIP). This might sound exciting, but to give you an idea of the tackiness that this masterpiece became, I present to you the film poster:
My version of the film would a) be a lot classier and a lot more timeless (80's hair, Natasha... really?) and b) would actually stay true to the themes of the book instead of throwing a bunch of plot points together and thrusting Nick into the mix to stir up the storyline rather than making him an integral part of the plot. Also, since when is Offred named Kate? (If you didn't read the book, the women are named after who they belong to and Offred-of Fred- is never given a name to symbolize her loss of identity)
On to casting! The most important roles of the film are Offred (the Handmaid), the Commander (her master of sorts), Serena Joy (his peppy and frightening wife), Nick (the man who defies the social system to save Offred), Janine, and Moira.
Offred- Kate Winslet
Commander- Clint Eastwood
Serena Joy- Meryl Streep
Nick- Edward Norton (kinda love him)
Janine- Winona Ryder (I forgive her shoplifting simply based off her performance in Girl, Interrupted)
Moira - Helena Bonham Carter
I think I would keep the soundtrack down to a simple instrumental as to not ruin the strong themes. The plot would be made as similarly as possible with the removal of many of the meetings of the Commander and Offred (those are just too uncomfortable and one is plenty). I would also remove many of the descriptions and some flashbacks as they become repetitive.
Summary: A catastrophe and great social change bring about a new social order in which women are nothing but carriers of offspring for the wealthy. One woman fights to defy the expected and break free of a tyrannical military government.
And in closing,
Nolite tes bastardes carborundorum
Unfortunately for me, the beautiful writing of Margaret Atwood was turned into a horrible film-adaptation starring the late Natasha Richardson (RIP). This might sound exciting, but to give you an idea of the tackiness that this masterpiece became, I present to you the film poster:
My version of the film would a) be a lot classier and a lot more timeless (80's hair, Natasha... really?) and b) would actually stay true to the themes of the book instead of throwing a bunch of plot points together and thrusting Nick into the mix to stir up the storyline rather than making him an integral part of the plot. Also, since when is Offred named Kate? (If you didn't read the book, the women are named after who they belong to and Offred-of Fred- is never given a name to symbolize her loss of identity)
On to casting! The most important roles of the film are Offred (the Handmaid), the Commander (her master of sorts), Serena Joy (his peppy and frightening wife), Nick (the man who defies the social system to save Offred), Janine, and Moira.
Offred- Kate Winslet
Commander- Clint Eastwood
Serena Joy- Meryl Streep
Nick- Edward Norton (kinda love him)
Janine- Winona Ryder (I forgive her shoplifting simply based off her performance in Girl, Interrupted)
Moira - Helena Bonham Carter
I think I would keep the soundtrack down to a simple instrumental as to not ruin the strong themes. The plot would be made as similarly as possible with the removal of many of the meetings of the Commander and Offred (those are just too uncomfortable and one is plenty). I would also remove many of the descriptions and some flashbacks as they become repetitive.
Summary: A catastrophe and great social change bring about a new social order in which women are nothing but carriers of offspring for the wealthy. One woman fights to defy the expected and break free of a tyrannical military government.
And in closing,
Nolite tes bastardes carborundorum
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