Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
I reviewed this script a while back, and I liked it quite a bit. Not long after I ran that review, I had the opportunity to talk to Stephen Gaghan, the writer/director of the film. I walked away from that conversation convinced that this was a guy determined to make something good, a little unusual, who had no arrogance about the process ahead of him. He seemed like he was determined to do whatever it took to make the film work. Now they're test screening it, an experience that can kick the shit out of even veteran filmmakers, much less a first time helmer. This is the first reaction to the screenings that I've seen, but if anyone else saw the film, I'd love to hear from them as well. It didn't read like a conventional crowd pleaser, so I'm curious if it just wasn't this guy's cup of tea.
Anyway... here's Mikey Tandino with a quick look at the film:
I am a huge fan of the site and have had many a scoop, but up until now I've never felt compelled enough to
write. Today though, I feel as an American citizen it
is my duty to write you. Last night I had the fortune
of attending a screening of Stephen Gaghan's new film
Abandon, or so I thought. My expectations were high,
and I was excited to see the film, but I can't even
blame my disappointment on that. The disappointment
comes in the plot, or lack there of. How does an
Oscar winner like Gaghan write a complete wreck of a
film like this? The plot of the film is simple for
those of you who don't know. A college student (Katie
Holmes) is haunted by the appearance of her
ex-boyfriend who has disappeared 2 years prior. Not a
bad premise, just a bad script. While the screenplay
is weak Gaghan's directing is solid and the cast does
the best they can with the material they have to work
from. On several occasions Zooey Deschanel steals the
show but that may only be because she has some of the
only decent lines. After the film ended and the
audience finished laughing I turned back to see Mr.
Gaghan and he did not look happy. I guess even an
Oscar winner knows when they have made a serious
mistake.
Thanks. I wish you'd gone into more detail so I could get an idea about how you reacted to things I really dug on the page. Maybe we'll get a more in-depth look in the days ahead...
"Moriarty" out.
