When I hear that a book I love is going to be made into a movie, I hold my breath. Figuratively, of course. But over the years, books I’ve loved have been made into movies, some I end up loving, and some that I don’t love (so much or not at all), so when I heard they were finally going to make a movie version of Janet Evanovich’s One For The Money, I was both thrilled and apprehensive.
I mean, I LOVE Stephanie Plum. I love Joe. I love Grandma Mazur, Lula, and the whole gang. I even love Ranger (although being Cuban myself, I am convinced that Ranger is NOT Cuban, but that is a post for another day.) Ten years ago I would have cast Sandra Bullock as Stephanie, but let’s face it, Sandy is just too old to play Stephanie. I know of die hard Evanovich fans who were not so thrilled when it was announced that Katherine Heigl would play the role of Evanovich’s infamous bounty hunter. They were leery of the whole venture. Afraid that Hollywood would muck it up. I know the movie is getting bad reviews everywhere. But I’m here to tell you that having seen the film twice now I can say that this Stephanie Plum fan is satisfied with the results.
Is Katherine Heigl my perfect vision of Stephanie? No. Is Jason O’Mara who I would have cast as Joe Morelli? Probably not. But it works. I loved the chemistry these two had on screen. And although Daniel Sunjata is not Hispanic, I thought he pulled off the role of Ranger pretty well. And I LOVED, yes, loved, Debbie Reynolds as Grandma Mazur. I just wish we would have had more screen time with her, but I understand why the director chose to play it the way she did. To give Grandma more screen time would have seriously stolen the movie from the main characters and detracted from the main plot, but I would have loved just one teensy tiny funeral parlor scene. Just one.Oh, and Sherri Shepherd as Lula was perfect. Again, not who I ever pictured in the role (can you say Queen Latifah?) but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by her.
A day hadn’t gone by after seeing One For The Money, that I opened up a magazine while waiting to get my hair done, (you know, one of those Hollywood gossip magazines), and found, to my horror, that Tom Cruise has been selected to play Jack Reacher, from the Lee Child novels. I found an article on the Internet about it right here. He’s set to play Reacher in a film version of Child’s novel, One Shot. For anyone not familiar with Lee Child’s novels (where have you been?) Jack Reacher is well, he’s sexy as hell. He’s also 6’5″ tall, has blond hair and blue eyes and is about 36 years old. I have nothing against Tom, I really don’t, but what are they THINKING? I am both thrilled and apprehensive. So I guess it starts all over again. Argh!
What about you? Any favorite books that have been turned into movies? What did you think about the casting?
Marcie, I couldn’t agree with you more. My girlfriend (who has read all the books because I gave them to her ) and I went to see the movie, and your comments were the same as ours. I was really worried when I first saw Joe as he was not who I pictured, but must say he grew on me. Ranger I am still reserving judgement on but again…not bad. Loved all the other characters too.
And as far as the Jack Reacher/Tom Cruise issue….do NOT get me started. Tom is NO Jack,
Oops, just checked my spelling…damn auto correct, meant to write Maria. Mea culpa
Bobbie, thanks for commenting! As for Tom playing Jack… ugh. All my Jack Reacher fantasies (and believe me, I’ve had plenty of those) are now ruined by the thought of Tom Cruise. Sigh.
Maria, I am such a fan of Stephanie that I once solved a depression by reading one through seven; got the latest … number eight and by the end of eight, I forgot why I was depressed. Janet is the Queen of fun and funny. All that being said and qualifying my comment since I have not seen it yet. I AM SO ANNOYED WITH THE CASTING. I am sorry because maybe it does work. But those of us who have been for more than 12 years dreaming about Joe and Ranger or seeing any of the characters in our minds, might have been disappointed with any casting. BUT … Joe Morelli with light brown hair. Ranger played by an Afro-American?? Oh, be still my heart. And giving Katherine black instead of her blonde hair doesn’t make her … yes Sandra Bullock ws the gal. The option for the movie was bought after the second book was published. That was 15 books ago.
So, they don’t always do a good job of casting or translating what fans have come to love about characters on the page. It can be done (Happy Potter for instance) and should be done when possible. I’ll reserve judgement on Reacher because I am a die-hard fan of Tom Cruise and his dark side might work for the ellusive Reacher.
But like your comment about being Cuban, I am Italian and I wanted Joe Morelli to at least look Italian, Ranger could have looked a bit Hispanic … well we shall wait and … see you at the movies
florence fois`s last blog was …The Writer’s Life … Reading, Movies and Music …
Well, I will say that the shining light in all this is Debbie Reynolds. The only person that could have played Grandma Mazur in my mind was Betty White, but Debbie did a fine job. Would definitely liked to have seen more of her!
Oh, and Florence, my hubby is Italian. Mike Geraci. Ha! He’s blond and green eyed so they do make them that way too!
I’m going to see One for the Money today. But I’ve heard good and bad about the movie, so usually means it’s somewhere in the middle. As a Stephanie Plum fan, we’ll see.
TOM CRUISE as Jack Reacher! Tom isn’t 6’5″. I don’t even think he’s as tall as me! I just don’t see it, but we’ll see. I did like him in Mission Impossible.
Lee, while the movie isn’t perfect, I think they did capture the spirit of Stephanie Plum. I hope you enjoy it!
As for Tom, height is only a very small (no pun intended) part of my disagreement with the casting. First, Tom is just too old. Too stale. We need someone younger and fresher for the part. JMO.
Maria, I’m so glad you posted this. I haven’t seen the movie yet but will soon. I’m personally thrilled about Katherine Heigl as Stephanie (love Sandra too). I’ve always pictured Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) as Ranger and never had anyone in mind who could be Morelli.
As far as books turned into movie that I’ve loved, definitely the Harry Potter series. Also, Alice in Wonderland, Must Love Dogs and A River Runs Through It (which I thought was a better movie than the story it was based on). My all time favorite is Out Of Africa.
I’m probably the only person on Earth who is not a Tom Cruise fan, so I’m very disappointed they’ve cast him as Jack Reacher. There are much better choices out there.
Misty, I hope you enjoy the movie. And no, you are not the only person out there who is not a Tom Cruise fan!
I haven’t read the Janet Evanovich books, but I am curious about this movie…
Cynthia Eden`s last blog was …Workshops
Cynthia, the books are fantastic. Especially the secondary characters!
One for money has been in Market for quite a few period of time,. It feels really good to see it. Keep the good work
Thanks
Khatua
Kahtua Lonchat`s last blog was …how to get a girlfriend