"Extraordinary Measures" is a fairly typical tearjerker. It tells a remarkable story, but unfortunately that isn't enough to make it a remarkable film.
Based on a true story, the film follows John and Aileen Crowley (Brendan Fraser and Keri Russell), the parents of two children who have Pompe disease. The rare genetic disorder confines the children to wheelchairs and respirators and causes progressive muscle weakness. The children are not expected to live past 9 years old, and the Crowleys are desperate find a cure.
John researches the disease tirelessly until he comes across the work of Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford), a Nebraska-based doctor who has found a possible cure for the disease in theory but does not have the funds to test it.
Determined to make Dr. Stonehill's theories a reality, John and Aileen begin raising the money to fund his research, and John quits his job to form a biotechnology company with Stonehill. Together they work to save John's own children and offer other families affected by Pompe disease hope for a brighter future.
"Extraordinary Measures" is essentially a made-for-TV movie with a bigger budget and bigger names. The story is very moving and inspiring, but it isn't enough to carry the film.
The directing and writing are decent, but nothing special. Ford, Fraser and Russell all give solid performances, though Ford and Fraser have a tendency to overact at times.
There is nothing inherently bad about the film, but it just feels a bit bland. It seems like a much more appropriate fit for the Hallmark Channel than the big screen.
But despite the film's flaws, the story is truly inspiring. Audiences will no doubt be moved by the story of a father's fight for his children's lives. The true story behind "Extraordinary Measures" makes it worth watching, but overall the film is far from extraordinary. C
As "The Lovely Bones" went wide last weekend, most critics and audiences seemed to agree that something is missing in this adaptation of Alice Sebold's bestselling novel. With each page-to-screen adaptation that has populated theaters in recent years, it feels like fans of the source material always find something to criticize. So what exactly makes a good big screen adaptation of a beloved book?
To me, the best adaptations are the ones that are faithful enough to the original that the essence of the book is still intact, but the directors aren't afraid to interweave their own artistic vision. The "Harry Potter" movies, at least "Prisoner of Azkaban" through "Half-Blood Prince" immediately spring to mind.
Once Alfonso Cuaron took the reigns from Chris Columbus, the "Potter" films have maintained the books' magical spirit and increasingly darker tone, but the directors haven't produced verbatim reproductions of the books. They don't sacrifice their own creative vision but stay faithful to the spirit of the source material.
The same can be said of "Up in the Air." I haven't read the book upon which the George Clooney-starring film is based, but supposedly the film is vastly different, changing events and adding characters. But despite the differences, the book's author, Walter Kirn, has said he approves of the movie because it still feels like his story and his characters. Director Jason Reitman creates a happy medium between his own vision for the story and Kirn's vision when translating "Up in the Air" from page to screen.
But while these films are more successful adaptations in my book, others fall under two extremes: too faithful to the story or not faithful enough. The "Twilight" films, entertaining as they might be, come to mind as adaptations that suffer from being too faithful to the source material.
The team behind the films seems to think the fans would be up in arms if the movies strayed even in the slightest from the books, but what results is dialogue that comes across as forced and stale. What reads well on the page doesn't always sound right on camera. If the writer and directors exercised more creative freedom, the story would likely flow better onscreen.
Unfortunately, "The Lovely Bones," which I had high hopes for, falls under the second extreme and differs from the book too much. "The Lovely Bones" has in its favor an incredibly talented cast and an Oscar-winning director. But Peter Jackson spends too much time on visual effects and too little time on how the protagonist's death affects the people she left behind. The book has so many rich supporting characters, and most of their storylines were cut so severely that the movie, while still a decent film, did not feel like the book.
At times Jackson delved into the book's raw emotion, then jumped right back to his effects, then tried to lighten the mood with some comedic moments. As a result the film felt disjointed, like it couldn't decide what it wanted to be. It contained glimpses of Sebold's rich novel, but ultimately strayed too far and fell flat.
What do you think? What makes a good big-screen adaptation? What are some of your favorites? Sound off in the comments section.
After ringing in the new year, it's time to reflect back on the best movies of 2009. Before I get to my top 10, here are a few honorable mentions, starting with the best:
-Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
-Precious
-The Hangover
-Invictus
-Where the Wild Things Are
Now on to the best movies of the past year:
10. Adventureland
Poorly marketed as a “Superbad”-esque comedy, “Adventureland” is one of the most underrated films of the year. In this nostalgic dramedy, Greg Mottola presents a beautiful coming of age story that is both touching and realistic. He doesn’t sugarcoat the difficulty of the post-collegiate world, but in his subtle yet poignant storytelling, he offers a glimmer of hope for those struggling to find their way.
9. Avatar and Star Trek (tie)
These two films made 2009 an incredible year for sci-fi blockbusters. “Avatar” is possibly the most visually stunning film of all time, its photorealistic CGI and special effects changing the face of 3D technology. J.J. Abrams’ reimagining of the “Star Trek” franchise pays homage to the original series while creating an intriguing universe all its own. “Avatar” soars because its visual appeal creates an epic moviegoing experience, and the originality of “Star Trek’s” storytelling makes it much more than just another remake.
8. (500) Days of Summer
The narrator of this romantic comedy declares upfront that “this is not a love story,” and what results is a refreshingly original take on the genre. Funny and quirky in the best way, the film dares to explore what most romance films ignore: relationships that, while significant, are just not meant to be. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel are also perfectly cast in the lead roles.
7. A Serious Man
The Coen brothers’ films are never simple and straightforward in their meaning, but that is precisely what makes them so interesting. Michael Stuhlbarg is superb as a Jewish man watching his life unravel in 1960s Minnesota. Only the Coens could combine dark comedy with themes of faith and life’s unpredictability so seamlessly.
6. An Education
Carey Mulligan’s nuanced portrayal of a 16-year-old girl learning life’s tough lessons through her relationship with an older man carries this beautifully crafted drama. Set against the backdrop of 1960s London, “An Education” tells a clever tale of the balance between what is taught in the classroom and what young people learn outside of it.
5. Fantastic Mr. Fox
Wes Anderson’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s children’s story is as offbeat, funny and oddly charming as Anderson’s live action films, which is precisely what makes it so clever. The beautifully detailed stop-motion animation combined with Anderson and Noah Baumbach’s witty dialogue is a truly fantastic treat for viewers of all ages. In an age of big-budget CGI, “Fantastic Mr. Fox” is an old-fashioned breath of fresh air.
4. Up
Pixar adds another hit to its long list of successes with “Up,” a moving film that manages to lift audiences’ spirits and breaks their hearts all at once. The film’s visually dynamic look and well-rounded characters will stay with viewers long after the film’s end. Its opening montage alone is masterfully crafted, telling Carl and his wife’s entire love story in mere minutes with no dialogue yet an abundance of emotion.
3. District 9
Perhaps the year’s most surprising film, Neill Blomkamp’s “District 9” riskily and fearlessly combines science fiction thrills with the drama of social justice issues. Simultaneously a heart-racing action flick and an apartheid allegory, “District 9” sends a message without being preachy and entertains with its documentary-style storytelling. Its star, first-time actor Sharlto Copley, is also a true talent, creating a complex performance opposite his CGI counterparts.
2. Up in the Air
This is Jason Reitman’s most personal film to date and perhaps the best performance of George Clooney’s career. “Up in the Air’s” sharp script and talented cast make it a gem of a movie. The film offers both a timely look at economic suffering and a man’s slow realization that even in the face of that suffering, opening yourself up to those you care about is the real key to happiness. In its insightful examination of downsizing, technology, relationships and loneliness, “Up in the Air” weaves a tragically beautiful tale.
1. The Hurt Locker
Kathryn Bigelow's fierce portrait of a bomb squad's rotation in Iraq is a tense ride, leaving audience's palms sweating and adrenaline rushing as they share the characters’ feelings that in a war zone, no one is ever safe. The film’s lack of a political agenda leaves room for a war story that is gritty and real. Jeremy Renner’s and Anthony Mackie’s strong performances and Bigelow’s detailed direction make “The Hurt Locker” the most accurate fictional depiction of the Iraq War presented onscreen.
I'm a reporter with The Sanford Herald and huge film junkie. This blog serves as a means for me to combine my two primary interests: writing and arts and entertainment.
