challenge 3: Veronika Decides to Die casting
This is my favorite novel by Paulo Coelho or if I can push it further, my favorite of all time. Naturally I got excited that it was going to be adapted into film as infuriating as some adaptions tend to get. But I think it's only a matter of casting and how close or far from the original will affect my opinion of the film. And as expected I am disappointed as the casting is nothing short of craptastic. Apologies to Sarah Michelle Geller fans but when I read this book, she was nowhere near how I pictured Veronika so I'm just astonished by the casting. Though Kate Bosworth could have been worse. There were some drastic changes seeing as this is Hollywood so of course the setting and characters were completely changed-- Americanized if you must call it which kinda ruins the mystique.
As taxing this challenge is, I thought I'd make up my own cast. ;p Ok the reason for having two actors per character is because as perfect a role as this is for Cate, she definitely is not in her mid-twenties (although I can simply imagine her playing it at that age, which goes the same for Ralph Fiennes). So I choose some age appropriate cast... well, almost. (Bah, it's not like people play their age anymore.) I had hoped I'd stay true to the setting but where's the fun in limiting myself to european actors?=p
Alright, without further ado:
"Veronika"
Cate Blanchett // Eva Green
-- does the first one need explanation? Cate can play anybody. period. the second one was a hard pick but we know she's a remarkable actress. plus there's something in her eyes, I think, that could easily convey Veronika's disenchantment with life.
"Eduard"
Ralph Fiennes // James Franco
while reading the novel, I always imagined Eduard to be kind of a James Dean having no care in the world. Franco knows how to play that. as for Ralph? well, if you know me well enough, I've been dying to see Cate in a movie with Ralph since forever! but this photo kind of convinced me that he can also play this stoic unhinged character.
"Dr. Igor"
James Lipton
maybe my imagination stereotyped the doctor but hey it fits. plus I imagine him talking with that voice asking the 10 questions. lolz.
"Zedka"
Rachel Griffiths // Julianne Moore
I choose Rachel Griffiths merely for the fact that she once played a girl with psych problems in the form of Brenda Chenowith (Six Feet Under). Julianne Moore... well, because. lolz.
"Mari"
Julianne Moore // Cate Blanchett
and yes, I have recycled. either way I can have them both together. lolz. if there's one thing I love about Cate is no matter how small the part, she manages to outshine the leads. I think if she can't be Veronika, she can still play one of the other crazies no matter how small the part. this goes as well for Julianne.
