A FOLLIES flim being developed by Sam Mendes and Aaron Sorkin?- Page 7

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 1:34pm

Shirley McLaine would have to be Hattie at this point. And she'd be brilliant.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 2:31pm

agreed, but would she do it?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 2:38pm

Why wouldn't she?

[roquat]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 2:46pm

It would be possible to get a wonderful "ghostly" atmosphere going if they filmed FOLLIES. The camera panning along the rubble-strewn theatre corridors, then suddenly replacing them with the splendor of the theatre in its glory days (sort of like that dusty-to-fabulous shot in the movie of PHANTOM when the chandelier goes up--the only thing I liked in that movie.) Not to mention all the ghosts and flashbacks bleeding in and out of the action. It would be hypnotic.

The book needs SERIOUS overhauling, though. Whenever they're not singing, it's a bad, whiny soap opera. And it needs to be more about everyone, not just the four leads.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 2:51pm

Actually I think for a movie to be successful it would have to be more about the four leads (and their younger counterparts) and less about everyone else...

[roquat]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 2:56pm

I disagree. If the stories of the four leads were expanded and filled out, they would come across as cliche (rather like the Zack/Cassie relationship in the awful CHORUS LINE movie.) The interesting subject of FOLLIES is what happened to these kinds of performers when their style of entertaining became obsolete (because of disillusioning wars, social changes, etc.) Whenever I've seen stage productions, I've wanted to know more about Stella, Carlotta, Hattie, and all those fabulous old survivor/broads and why they're "still here." The standard unhappy-marriage problems we've seen a million times before.

[TheBoyDownstairs]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 3:02pm

Follies is my favorite musical of all time, seeing the Encores! production of it this year was thrilling (minus Christine Baranski) and the thought of a well make movie of the show is beyond exciting.

But then I stop and think what the likelihood of it being done well is, and if it were to be done poorly it would be beyond sad. My biggest sticking point is I cant even come up with a dream cast. I mean I could easily come up with a great cast using Broadway veterans, but with big name hollywood stars I draw a blank. I think Phyllis is the easiest to cast and there a few women out there who would do a good job, but I can't think of a single Sally I'd like to see.

So while the thought of a movie is exciting, its probably better off that it never gets made (which is the most likely outcome anyways)

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 3:17pm

Well the problem with FOLLIES is that there basically isn't a concrete plot. I don't think a film audience would have the patience for a film without a plot AND a concrete emphasis on four central characters.

I think you could with a clever screenplay, keep the other characters and perhaps rearrange some of the songs so that they are in their own way commentary on the relationships (past and present) of the four leads (think of the original film of CABARET).

But trying to expand the characters like Hattie and Solange at the expense of the love triangle of the four principals would not work. It would actually make the movie messy and insufferable.

And I disagree that the "standard unhappy-marriage problems we've seen a million times before" is something to shy away from. It is what is emotionally resonating about the musical, and is completely unique in its own way. It's also the total marketing pitch of the film to mainstream audiences.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 3:18pm

She just seems like someone who wouldn't want to have the oldest part in the show.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 3:19pm

I think Heidi is older than Hattie. As is Carolotta, depending on the production.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 3:24pm

Thankfully, I think the days of the 80 year old Carlotta are over. The character is and should be played as a contemporary of Sally and Phyllis.

I actually think for a film, Sally, Phyllis, Carlotta etc would probably be cast young. I know people will scream, but a realistic cast (from a studio greenlighting perspective) for this sort of movie is Nicole Kidman, Renee Zelwegger, George Clooney and Johnny Depp, with Catherine Zeta Jones as Carlotta. Actors (assuming this movie is made in 5 or so years) in their early-mid 40s.

NO studio is going to put up the funds for a 70 million dollar movie where the four leads are in their sixties and the rest of the heavilly featured performers even older than that. Its just not going to happen.

Updated On: 12/19/07 at 03:24 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 6:47pm

Actually, apart from Renee Zellweger, I enjoy MichaelBennett's cast. It's not my ideal cast, but it sure would make it possible for the movie to be a moderate success. McLaine would indeed make a great Hattie.
Like I said before, I would love for the story to be focused on the sweeping romance gone wrong between the four major leads. It's what would make the film marketable and it would just make for a stronger movie than if they focused too much on the supporting characters.
As long as they leave, "Could I Leave You?" I'm a happy homo.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 8:32pm

I know I will be the only one to think so, but I totally think Zelwegger could pull off Sally. The character is a crazy, manipuliative manic depressive who lives in a world of fantasy. Sure she wouldn't sing it like Barbara Cook, but I definitely think Zelwegger could pull of the emotional layers of the character.

Its interesting reading some of the suggestions for Sally. This is a wierd thing to say, but I actually feel pretty strongly that Sally should be played (like Dorothy Collins) by someone who is short. This is a character whose appeal as a young woman was being cute and perky. I can't imagine someone like Joan Allen or really even Meryl Streep pulling that off.

Sally Field ten years ago would have been perfect.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 8:45pm

You know MichaelBennet, that was my initial problem with Meryl and the rest too. I remember how shocked I was when I saw the footage from the original cast and saw the difference in height between Alexis Smith and Dorothy Collins. It really adds to their relationship and makes you initially sympathetic towards Sally. Although I think that Zelwegger’s role should have been Clara in Nine, I too think she would make a great Sally.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 9:05pm

I don't think it would have ever occurred to me, but I agree with you about Renee, Michael Bennett. Whether they were tweaked or not, I liked her voice in Chicago. I wouldn't mind a slightly younger cast, like you mentioned.

I've also wondered if it would work on film with the same actor playing his or her younger counterpart.

If we're talking ten years ago, I always thought Susan Sarandon would have been smashing as Phyllis.

I really think that in the right hands there is a potential for a truly great movie that hews somewhat closely to the source material.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 9:11pm

I wonder how many (if any) of the pastiche numbers would make the cut. I can see WHO'S THAT WOMAN working. I know some argue whether I'M STILL HERE is a pastiche number or a "book" number. Either way I can't imagine Follies or Carlotta without "I'm Still Here."

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 9:31pm

Oh I don't think "I'm Still Here" is a pastiche number. I mean it certainly doesn't occur during the Loveland/flashback sequences. I'd say it exists in "real time" the same way "Too Many Mornings" and "Could I Leave You" do.

The biggest mistake they could make with that song is to have Carlotta "performing" it for the other party goers. That number is for the most part her aside as commentary on the other guests at the reunion and how she feels about her own past.

It's not a Shirley MacLaine in "Postcards from the Edge"
moment...

Assuming the film happened, I bet Sondheim would take a cue from his apparent delight with the SWEENEY TODD movie, which leaves most of the songs, just cuts verses.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 9:33pm

Who could possibly call "I'm Still Here" a pastiche number? What kind of song from the past would it be a pastiche of? None that I can think of.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 9:37pm

I completely agree "I'm Still Here" isn't a pastiche number. But I have heard people argue it's not in real time, etc. I agree they shouldn't have her perform it for the party-goers; they'd have to come up with something more appropriate for film.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 9:42pm

Ugh, I just can't bring myself to think of Zellweger as Sally. I've only liked her in CHICAGO and the first BRIDGET JONES. It has absolutely nothing to do with her voice though, I'm all for a no-Barbara Cook Sally, just not Zellweger...please.
Apart from that, I'm all about the Depp, Clooney, Kidman cast. Would Kate Winslet be old enough to play Sally in 5 years? How about la Collette?

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 9:46pm

Collette is still in her 30's. I think people keep forgetting this. Especially when throwing her name out there for roles like Mrs. Lovett and Sally.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 10:12pm

I actually think Toni Collette would be a good Sally and I'm one of the few people on this board who doesn't worship at her shrine. She's too young, but she looks a lot older than she is.

That said - the role would go to a bigger name, I'm sure.

I also like the Laura Linney idea but she doesn't sing.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 10:16pm

Glenn Close could be an interesting Stella.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 10:22pm

Glenn Close strikes more of a Carlotta.. and I don't even know if that's a perfect fit for her.

I like my Stellas big and loud.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 10:32pm

Ugh. Keep Glenn Close as far away as possible. Or let her be Solange.