It does not give me any pleasure whatsoever to say that I am not a fan of the works of Tennessee Williams. I realize that he is considered one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century, but I just don't see it. Maybe I'm biased because I prefer musicals, who knows? I know that there is some value to his plays, but of the ones I have read so far, I'm just not a fan. (For those of you who love his works, I'm really sorry.)
I do think, though, that the movie version of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF with Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman is well worth watching. I don't LOVE the movie, but I liked it enough that it gave me an appreciation for the play itself that I didn't have when I read it. But that's the thing about plays: they're meant to be seen (performed), not read. There's just something about experiencing the nuances of an actor performing the written words that brings the words to life that is impossible to "get" when reading a play. I think some of the best plays are written in such a way that it takes the performer to bring the words--the story--to life. That's what separates a play from a novel or other work of fiction. When I read a "regular" book, the story comes to life on the page because it is written to be read.
So while I am not a fan of the written version of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, I do highly recommend the movie version. It's not a musical, but yet the performances by the actors give the story a life of its own that makes the story understandable, enjoyable, and have the point that I think Tennessee Williams was hoping to convey. So if you choose to watch the movie rather than read the book THIS TIME, you won't be disappointed.
Besides, Elizabeth Taylor in this dress alone makes the movie WELL worth watching!!! The dress is quite gorgeous, but so is Elizabeth Taylor IN the dress! Wow.
I decided to read BIG FISH: A NOVEL OF MYTHIC PROPORTIONS by Daniel Wallace when I first realized that the movie BIG FISH was actually based on a book! I saw the movie years ago and loved it! I love Ewan McGregor, you know! But I had no idea it was a book first. A few weeks ago, we had a free movie weekend with HBO or something like that and there was a preview, I think, that mentioned the book. I decided that I wouldn't watch the movie again until I read the book, so I immediately ordered the book and now I've finished reading it! So I can finally watch the movie again!
The movie varies from the book quite a bit. It keeps the essence of the overall story--what Wallace does with this beautiful story of a man who is an amazing story-teller (on his deathbed) and his son, attempting to connect with the man he doesn't know.
In some ways, I like the book better, but a part of me feels that I'm only saying that because as a book lover, I'm kind of supposed to say that. It is a really good book and I am very glad that I read it, but yet I have to admit that with this one, I think the movie is better. I don't know if it's because I'm prejudice towards Ewan McGregor or what, but I just find that the movie is much more fun. The book is cute, but I didn't laugh or smile or even cry while reading the book. I did all of those when I watched the movie. Of course, again, that might be because I watched the movie first, but that isn't going to change my opinion.
In this instance, the movie BIG FISH is better than the book BIG FISH by Daniel Wallace. (*Don't hate!)
BTW: did you know that there is also a stage musical?! I didn't!
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