"I hate Broadway. I think it is the very incarnation of tackiness" - film director

[binau]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 9:11pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/AMELIE-Film-Director-Disgusted-by-Plans-for-Broadway-Adaptation-But-Sells-Rights-For-Charity-20130823

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 10:14pm

Sad, I love Amelie.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 10:16pm

Well, when you are a filmmaker who cares about the composition of every single frame, I can see how some of the bloated nonsense that plays on Broadway for a few months could turn somebody off to it. Makes me wonder if he's seen much artistically adventurous fare.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 10:20pm

He'd have shot himself if he'd seen Bernadette Peters in Follies.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 10:22pm

Jean-Pierre Jeunet's films are terrible. So...who cares?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 10:25pm

Computer says no..

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 10:25pm

Amelie. That's the movie about that disturbingly obsessive stalker, right?

Stalkers are so cute and quirky.

Updated On: 8/23/13 at 10:25 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 10:26pm

Not really, no.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 10:39pm

And as we all know all film is without any tackiness.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 10:44pm

People seem to be taking this as a personal affront.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 11:00pm

Of course it's a personal affront. It's all about them and Their Reaction.

I think it's a nice change of pace for a director to speak up and say, "I really don't think this should happen."

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 11:11pm

Jean-Pierre Jeunet is one of my favorite directors.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 11:17pm

Micmacs almost got by me but I caught it at a rep house and loved LOVED it. Consistently inventive and surprising, it is a work of remarkable craft. Granted, it's no Good Vibrations or Lestat, but still.

[loliveve]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 11:38pm

Well, I disagree with his opinion but he is allowed to have it. Plus, I have to say that I am impressed with his decision to sell the rights for a charitable cause, in spite of the negative opinion he holds.

[binau]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 12:35am

"He'd have shot himself if he'd seen Bernadette Peters in Follies."

Yes, her convincing performance as a depressed house-wife was so powerful it might have had that kind of contagious effect. Wonderful, wonderful acting.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 1:10am

I wonder if its Broadway only, or theater in general.

[Hackasaurus_Rex]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 1:24am

I guess I can see his point in the sense that there is a ton of crap you have to sift through but WTF, that is the case in any art form... film included.. maybe even especially. I just feel bad for him that his tastes are so narrow.

That said the composer's comments do make me nervous. "I'm not interested in doing Parisian music." Huh? I hope there is a real reason for this (I mean, since it is set in Paris for christsakes) and not just the hubris of "Damn the movie, I'm going to make this MY Amelie!" I can't imagine this story without at least a hint of Parisian feel to the score.... that would feel strange IMO.

[david_fick]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 1:25am

AMELIE sounds like a classic example of a "why" musical to me. A fantastic film with an iconic score, transforming AMELIE into a musical with its own distinct artistic voice will be a mean feat.

As for Jean-Pierre Jeunet's comment, I can understand why he might identify Broadway as a tacky theatre arena. Some choice examples aside, musical theatre on Broadway has become something of a theme park affair. People sometimes argue that this has to do with what sells but if we've learned anything from the past decade or so, it is that a jukebox musical or a musical based on a movie as just as much potential to flop in spite of the reputation of the band or film as it has to succeed.

[DeNada]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 3:08am

Amelie's rapid deadpan humour and surreality isn't something I see transferring well to the stage; having to pace the show for laugh breaks and other audience noises seems like it might take all of the fun out of it. The opening montage of things Amelie enjoys, for instance, will presumably be musicalised, but I can't help feel like it will become a bit overblown as a result.

I love Amelie, and I love musicals, but I'm not totally convinced about this adaptation as yet.

[VeraCharles3]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 5:25am

While I don't agree with Jean-Pierre Jeunet about Broadway, I can understand his reluctance. Amelie is one of my favorite movies and the score by Yann Tiersen is wonderful.

I don't think the experience of seeing the movie could be bettered so I don't think we need a musical version, especially if there will be nothing from the original score

[SNAFU]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 5:59am

I never got the love for Amelie. Loved the score however kind of hated the film. The same way I hated Big Fish.

[AvenueQResident]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 8:49am

Wonder if they'll include the "How many people are having an orgasm right now?" part.

[Playbilly]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 9:14pm

"For charity" sounds like an excuse to bash, and still get the cash.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 8/25/13 at 9:11am

"The very incarnation of tackiness".....says the guy who made Alien: Resurrection.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/25/13 at 9:33am

"The very incarnation of tackiness" says the guy who is bragging about his charitable contributions.