Gothamist: Owen Wilson In The Smoker

Reader

Tue, 22 Jun 2004 20:44:03 -0500

Could not agree more about Kissing in Manhattan. It's a collection of linked stories that is schematic, thin on characterization, and generally flimsier than a first draft screenplay. And it was so obviously written to be optioned.

X.O.

Tue, 22 Jun 2004 16:39:48 -0500

Oh my Lord, Kissing in Manhattan just represented the sad state of American Lit, to me, when it came out and got any notice whatsoever. That book sucks eggs-- I can't even think of anything that's come out in recent years that's as bad, to compare. Yergggh.

raising natalie

Tue, 22 Jun 2004 11:57:00 -0500

In Garden State Portman seems about 15 (alot of hamsters, alot of crying, alot of girlish innocence and impromptu tap dancing). And in The Smoker she's supposed to play 19 (in the same hairdo that she wore in Leon, right?). So, yeah, it all feels very safe. From the director, to the co-stars - sort of safe and vanilla. Let's hope Linklater brings some edge to this and they actually shoot in Manhattan. Who needs another predictable romantic comedy shot on a stage in Burbank.

BytchInNY

Tue, 22 Jun 2004 08:12:52 -0500

Oh I'm definitely going to have to see that... I really liked Kissing in Manhattan alot. It had a very conversational tone and was written in a way I think alot of NY'ers could relate to.

Sterling

Tue, 22 Jun 2004 07:20:20 -0500

Portman's getting a little old to still be drawing water from the "Lolita" well, isn't she? 10 years ago in Leon, eight years ago in Beautiful Girls - this should be the last time. (The bright side is that this time I won't be disgusted with myself when I think she's hot.)

highfidelity

Tue, 22 Jun 2004 01:54:31 -0500

Yeah, I agree, Hoffman is too prickly and porky. None of his characters have been very self-assured, as Douglas seems to be. I was trying to think of a character actor less hunky than Wilson. I would vote for Broderick or Ruffalo, don't know the others, except Kimmel, who is a doofus. I'd actually like to see what Linklater does with New York, on the assumption that the story is expanded. If you liked Steve Coogan from 24 hr party people, you should see Coffee and Cigarettes. The bit he does with Alfred Molina is really understated and really funny.

zero mouse 7

Tue, 22 Jun 2004 01:22:36 -0500

hi hi fi - 24 hr pty peep, best movie of '00! "Factory Records are not actually a company. We are an experiment in human nature. You're labouring under the misapprehension that we actually have a deal with, er, with our, our bands." But I have to respectfully disagree with you on PSH. He's too prickly and porky (sorry). When I read The Smoker I thought of Douglas as a young Matthew Broderick (yea, Election). And clearly Linklater can command a classroom and a small apartment, but I was thinking more of Wes Anderson to direct (yea, Royal Tenennbaums). So what about a compromise? Hows about for Douglas: Mark Raffalo/ Mathew St. Patrick/ Cillian Murphy/ or Jimmy Kimmel And to direct, hows about David O. Russell or Zach Braff or Wayne Kramer? Linklater can graduate from the school pics already.

highfidelity

Tue, 22 Jun 2004 00:43:09 -0500

Actually, I meant Philip Seymour Hoffman in Spike Lee's 25th Hour. (I seem to mix up the title with 24 Hour Party People.)

highfidelity

Tue, 22 Jun 2004 00:24:17 -0500

That story was the exceptional one from Kissing in Manhattan, thanks for the link. Linklater will do good work with it. Philip Seymour Hoffman with a dye job might have fulfilled the physical specifications (see 24th Hour for Hoffman as a very different, confused prep school teacher) and perhaps made the story appropriately fantastic and more romantic. On the other hand, the beauty and the beast narrative seems overplayed and you have to love Eli Cash.

rachelle

Mon, 21 Jun 2004 19:55:46 -0500

kissing in manhattan is great. i'd totally forgotten about it.. now i want to dig it out and reread it. .. maybe as soon as i get my book shelves assembled.

HR

Mon, 21 Jun 2004 18:24:00 -0500

Hi Jen, Thanks for digging out the link to the original story. Check out Nat Portman in Garden State if you haven't already. Most endearing. I think you'll also like the bottom-less abyss that was supposed to be filled and turned into a mall.