Streisand/Kramer THE NORMAL HEART film drama...

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 2:44pm

Oh dear.


http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/05/07/streisand-normal-heart/


But there’s still hope for fans who dreamed of seeing Streisand in a movie version of The Normal Heart. The Oscar winner says she would consider playing Brookner in Glee creator Ryan Murphy’s planned adaptation starring Mark Ruffalo, although it would be difficult for her to let go of her creative vision for the movie. “If I could direct it today, I would direct it today,” Streisand says. “Because it’s been very hard for me to find a piece that I feel as passionate about. I mean, I love this play.” Updated On: 5/7/11 at 02:44 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 6:11pm

Both Kramer and Streisand are histrionic people with huge egos. It's hardly a surprise that they had trouble working together. Streisand might have done an honorable job by the play, but we'll never know. And, frankly, I'm going to take what both of them have to say here with a grain of salt.

As for Streisand playing Emma in the current film version that's in development, I don't think it's a great idea. She's 25-30 years older than Dr. Linda Laubenstein, the basis for the character, ever lived to be. Emma is described as being in her late thirties. Barkin can play younger, Streisand really can't.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 6:25pm

I really hope Streisand isn't cast in this new film version.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 6:55pm

I can't imagine she'll be cast. I wonder if Murphy will try to cast Gwyneth Paltrow in it given their recent collaboration (and their failed one, RUNNING WITH SCISSORS). I'm really curious to see if the movie really does happen.
I wonder how much of this is true. I can so see Streisand trying to beef up her role, but as others have said Kramer is also known for his ego.
Who's the star that denied Streisand's offer to play Ned? Joel Grey?

Updated On: 5/7/11 at 06:55 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 7:01pm

My guess would be Richard Dreyfuss or Martin Sheen.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 9:34pm

When Queens Collide!

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 9:47pm

I think Kramer is kind of insane, but I do not want Streisand directing this movie.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 10:24pm

I don't know that I'm interested in seeing Streisand directing but I do think she's a much more competent director than Ryan Murphy, whose films EAT PRAY LOVE and especially RUNNING WITH SCISSORS show really poor storytelling skills and a complete inability to put together something with depth, RUNNING WITH SCISSORS was particularly unwatchable. I really hope he doesn't ruin this like he did with those other two adaptations.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 10:34pm

When Kramer first tried to get the film made without Streisand in the mid-nineties, he was taking it to studios with Annette Bening (who would be fantastic) attached to play Emma.

Given her history working with Ryan Murphy on RUNNING WITH SCISSORS and Mark Ruffalo on THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if she winds up involved again with this incarnation.

Updated On: 5/7/11 at 10:34 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 10:42pm

Is there any reason why they couldn't/wouldn't go back to Glenn Close, who by all accounts was oustanding in the reading (which I didn't get to see, regrettably)?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 10:46pm

I don't see why a film version even needs to be discussed now. What's on stage at the Golden should be filmed and released theatrically. I find it hard to believe anything will come close to being as good or as powerful as that.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 10:51pm

adamgreer, like I said, given Bening's previous history with both the project and everyone involved this time around, I think her casting is almost a certainty. That being said, I'm sure Close would be on a shortlist of candidates for any director given her involvement with the material so recently.

Personally, while I thought she was great in the reading, I find Close to lack a bit of the dynamic quality required for an ideal Emma (I had the same problem with Joanna Gleason in the revival at The Public.) I can't think of any Hollywood types fitting the role as well as Bening would.

Updated On: 5/7/11 at 10:51 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 10:53pm

Bening sounds like a fantastic choice and we already know she has a really interesting chemistry with Mark Ruffalo on screen. Again, my only worry is Murphy. Someone on ATC said that it's going to be a challenge for him to direct it without making it a Lifetime Movie of the Week and I kind of agree.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/7/11 at 11:53pm

Ryan Murphy is one of the last people I want touching this. I'd rather it not happen at all than Murphy direct it. I think he's about two very small notches above incompetent.

Updated On: 5/7/11 at 11:53 PM

[Kevn520]

Posted: 5/8/11 at 2:41am

If Ryan Murphy becomes involved in this project I will cry. His work has an amateur quality to it, and he doesn't know how to finish a story. Nip/Tuck went off the rails, and I'm sure Glee isn't far behind.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 5/8/11 at 10:32am

Glee has pretty much gone off the rails already to be honest...they've lost probably every single story thread that existed on the show previously without any of it being tied up or really fully finished.

Ryan Murphy is about the last person I would want touching something like The Normal Heart...better to not make a movie at all than to have him at the helm.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/8/11 at 11:05am

Ryan Murphy has as much ego as Babs, so my guess is that this collaboration will break down as well and the film never gets made. This is Kramer's biggest claim to fame and his only baby. He clings to it with an unobjective eye and he won't be on board for any changes Murphy proposes as well.

As far as Close and Bening, still too old. There's fine younger actresses who would do the part justice (Julianne Moore, Naomi Watts, Toni Collette...)

Ryan Murphy desttoyed RUNNING WITH SCISSORS and EAT PRAY LOVE. He has no understanding of crafting a linear narrative that is not overlong and he has no edit button.

GLEE is basically him throwing up glitter every week. It's repellant and the narratives are horrendous.