Will there be a Remake?
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dep1353 — 17 years ago(August 07, 2008 05:44 PM)
.For the most part, the films you listed were either action, western or sci-fi. "Eddie Coyle", being more character driven, is not really a film that could be improved by the advances you mentioned.
.Actually, the
only
issue I have with "Eddie Coyle" is the soundtrack, and only in parts ( something about the guitar work, I think ).
.And I agree with Nikon11, I can't think of a more deep and well rounded cast. Maybe you have some suggestions?
.
Have a nice day
. -
Oliver-50 — 17 years ago(August 07, 2008 06:50 PM)
I love that this film is a bit of a hidden treasure. I found out about it when it was on Roger Ebert's top ten list of 1973 and decided to track down a bootleg on Ebay. I think the film is better left alone. Besides, why remake an already near-perfect movie? Why not take a crappy movie and remake it into a good one? Like Leonard Part 6, remade with Ice Cube. I'm just saying.
Walk. Don't Drive. Save money, your heart, and the environment. -
paul_rothchild — 17 years ago(August 09, 2008 02:21 PM)
I listed 6 very good to great remakes off the top of my head, and you dismissed these for "the most part" as "either action, western, or sci-fi".
The makers of "Cape Fear", "Oceans Eleven", and "The Departed" (3 of the 6, or 50% of the films I listed) would beg to differ with your characterization - none of them are action, wester, or scifi.
In fact "Cape Fear" and "The Departed" in particular underscore my point. Both were mystery/thrillers, based on a number of complex and interesting characters that drove the plot, with great performances in the original - the original "Cape Fear" notably starring Robert Mitchum.
And "Oceans Eleven" was hardly an action movie, but rather a comedic heist movie with a number of great characters.
All three remakes were fine films and with fine performances (Robert DeNiro in "Cape Fear" anyone?).
I guess the reality is that this debate happens anytime you discuss a remake of a great film. I'm sure there were plenty of cries from fans loyal to the original against remaking "Cape Fear" or "The Departed", etc. -
dep1353 — 17 years ago(August 09, 2008 05:02 PM)
.I never meant to dismiss those films. Some of my favorite movies are
action, western and sci-fi
. My point was that all the "advances" in
technology, cinematography, film quality, sound, and special effects
really can't add that much to great performances.
.Actually, your suggestion that the remake could feature a
deeper, more well rounded cast
strikes
me
as a little dismissive. -
dep1353 — 17 years ago(August 11, 2008 08:30 AM)
.As to the depth of the cast, Helena Carroll, who played Eddie's wife Sheila, was probably better known for her stage work ( including the original "Separate Tables" and "Oliver", and revivals of "Design for Living" and Private Lives" ). Maybe her finest film role was as Aunt Kate in Huston's "The Dead".
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Nikon11 — 17 years ago(August 11, 2008 05:15 AM)
I don't jest here.
Your list:
John Carpenter's The Thing - Didn't see it.
Cape Fear - Saw it a long time ago, and thought that DeNiro overplayed it, and I don't care about it.
The Departed - remake of Internal Affairs - Doesn't really count as a remake, because the original is foreign, so there's a reason for it. It's not just re-doing a movie for the sake of re-doing it.
Oceans Eleven - I can't even remember if I saw it - so I couldn't have been that impressed.
The Fly - Saw it and don't remember it, and don't care.
The Magnificent Seven - remake of The Seven Samurai - Didn't see it.
So, my opinion isn't changed. -
paul_rothchild — 17 years ago(August 11, 2008 06:53 PM)
Your opinion, such as it is, is duly noted.
As an aside, if you have the time, you should do yourself a favor and watch (or rewatch) some of these films. You will not be disappointed. They are all very strong films in their respective genres.
And as for DeNiro overacting in the "Cape Fear" remake, he was nominated for an Academy Award for that role.
But as you note, it is just your "opinion" so to each his own. -
Nikon11 — 17 years ago(August 12, 2008 05:28 AM)
Yes, such as it is.
And I can't imagine anyone else coming close to Mitchum talking about his busted knuckles, Alex Rocco describing his girlfriend's pants, or Peter Boyle taking Eddie for a ride.
So, yeah, if it were remade, with today's big-name stars, it would probably be a big-budget, flashy, over the top production. Sure, it would spark some interest in this original version, and probably even in the book. But it's not something that I'd look forward to seeing done.
Did you read the book? I did before I saw the film, and the characters were almost exactly how I imagined them. That almost never happens. So, to me, it's near perfect the way it is. -
kbjornsen — 17 years ago(September 03, 2008 02:49 PM)
paul rothchild wrote:
-To introduce the story, character, and world to a whole new generation of film goers. To, through advances in technology, cinematography, film quality, sound, and special effects, tell the story on a grander, more contemporary level.
To feature a deeper, more well rounded cast.
There are plenty of reasons to remake a great but little seen film like "The Friends of Eddie Croyle".
EhThe best introduction for anyone would be to watch the actual movie. Which is called The Friends of Eddie Coyle, and it came out in 1973. NOTi repeatNOT making a slick boring candycoatet waste of celluloid to make bucks off another classic movie. Why not try making something new? Something original!
This "new generation" you're talking about (which includes myself, I guess, I'm 33))doesn't need a crappy remake to appreciate anything. I just hate the word, the whole notion of the word "remake". It's all over the imdb boards, like it's a natural and positive thing.
And to elaborate on your further points.. technology, cinematography, quality, sound and so on: The film is how it is, and it's damn good. What the hell are they going to do? It's not low quality in ANY of the respects you mention. And one last point, if anyone even dares to even touch the Dave Grusin soundtrackwell, then I'm going to freak out for real -
jcl295 — 16 years ago(May 22, 2009 03:48 PM)
Deeper, more well rounded cast?
Robert Mitchum, Peter Boyle and Alex Rocco have a message for you;
go f_u_ck yourself. What, it'd be better with Zac Efron and Jon Voight?
Tell the story on a grander more contemporary level?
Moron, the movie is set in 1973, should we make EVERY movie to 'contemporize' them? A grander level? There's nothing 'grand' about Eddie Coyle, it's a small, mean film about small, mean people. It's beautiful in its pathetic quality, intimate in its doom.
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