[Jennifer Reeser]

On September 22, Columbia and Sony Pictures are scheduled to release a major motion picture, All The King's Men, a remake of the 1949 film which won 3 Academy Awards and was based on Robert Penn Warren's Pulitzer-winning novel, which was in turn based on the career of our illustrious Louisiana governor and senator Huey P. Long. The movie features Anthony Hopkins, Sean Penn in the lead role, and Kate Winslet. A curious feeling, to see previews of Penn standing and ranting in the halls where my children and I, of late, bided our time while in exile from the hurricane. It's a rare film which can induce me into the cinema, and part with my money, but intuition tells me I may end up seeing this one twice. The official website is:

All The King's Men




[This message has been edited by Jennifer Reeser (edited August 14, 2006).]

[Ethan Anderson]

Love the novel, curious about the movie, but nervous about the cast. There's a lot of overacting credits to be found among that trio.

[Jennifer Reeser]

I am actually pleased with the actors, though it might be that I took one too many beatings as a child.

[Michael Juster]

I never thought the original Academy Award winning film was that good, but I have always loved the novel. I dislike the Penn persona enormously, but to give him his due he did a nice job in Mystic River where the acting was not as good as the screenplay and the cinematography. Hopkins sleepwalks through bad movies he does for money but is superb when he thinks it's worth his while. With any luck, he'll answer the bell with this one.
As for Kate Winslet, I have no opinion, not even having seen Titanic, but it does seem there are some edgier women around who might have been better. Mebbe Mercedes Ruehl is too old for the part now, but ten years ago she woulda been perfect.

[This message has been edited by Michael Juster (edited August 14, 2006).]

[Diane Dees]

I don't like remakes except in very rare cases. But since the original of this film leaves something to be desired, perhaps this a good idea. I like all three actors and think Winslet is an especially good choice. Though I do not like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the role was good for her because it ended her type-casting.

[Alder Ellis]

Never read the novel & saw the movie so long ago I only seem to remember -- OK, I had to look it up, Broderick Crawford, star of Highway Patrol!

Those of you who did not grow up watching Highway Patrol on B&W TV in the late 50s, you'll just never understand what this really means....

Broderick Crawford was perfect for the part, & Sean Penn, an infinitely more accomplished actor, seems an unlikely casting choice -- but maybe a brilliant one. Kate Winslet & Anthony Hopkins can do no wrong, given their innate appeal plus the well-known (from movies) resonance of British with Southern US accents. Jude Law? I dunno... maybe too British, "Cold Mountain" notwithstanding. James Gandolfini has heft in any context.

Looking forward to it....

[FOsen]

This is the Great American Novel; anybody who hasn't yet read it had better do so before the film comes out.

[Janet Kenny]

Is my memory deceiving me? Did Paul Ford play a minor role in the first movie?
Janet

I checked. Yes he did. One of the great film actors IMO.

[This message has been edited by Janet Kenny (edited August 15, 2006).]

[Tim Murphy]

Warren was a professor at Minnesota in '48, and my parents' first date was the premiere of the stage version of All the King's Men. When they came out for my graduation, I took them up to the Yale Medical Center to meet him. He was recovering from near-fatal liver failure, and they warmly thanked him for his in loco parentis supervision of me. I'll certainly check out the film. Thought Penn was very good in Mystic River, very bad after Hurricane Katrina.

[R. S. Gwynn]

Janet, he did, according to imdb.com.