Film version of Rent already generating Oscar buzz- Page 3

[Auggie27]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 10:03am

What remains to be seen is how successful THE PRODUCERS makes the leap. I'm in the minority, but think RENT has a better chance, even as a Pasteurized product by Columbus. It just has that youthful element, and so much emotional yearning at its core--you can't deny the impact of the La Boheme story arc. That whiff of sentimentality in act two -- blown up on screen -- will probably help it commericially

PRODUCERS has one big question mark to me: how will such over the top material work with the camera right on top of it, scrutinizing every joke, and critically, every bit of mugging? One reason it works in the theater--we sit back and watch its stylization from afar. At the center of this issue is Lane's performance as Max. He's delicious on stage, again, where we suspend disbelief. But Nathan Lane doesn't have that natural grit and sleaze that Zero Mostel brought to the role. He's a clean-cut sweet-faced guy. Will we buy him as a predatory seducer of little old ladies, up close and personal? I'm not sure. Just watching the original with Zero and Gene reminded me of how diluted that material already was with Nathan and Matthew.

[elphaba.scares.me]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 9:43am

I think both movies stand a better chance of success (critically and financially) if they're actually GOOD.

Not slickly-edited trailer good, but full-length movie good.

And for that we'll have to wait and see.

[Karma76]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 11:14am

I am calling early on Walk the Line will be the front runner.