Tuesday 2 December 2008

Casting away

I've been having a discussion with Giuseppe today. He's finally read The Scent of Cinnamon because a translator friend, Isabella Zani, has rendered it - superbly - into Italian. After over 22 years together (tié Ratzy!), this is the first time he's really read anything of mine and, to my relief, he loves it. In fact, he loves it so much he wants to see it filmed. In fact, he wants to see it filmed so much he's already decided on the director and the actors for the two main roles. 

His choices? Ang Lee (director), Tilda Swinton (Miriam), Daniel Day Lewis (Joseph). Needless to say, these three jobbing labourers in the world of cinema are twiddling their thumbs in shabby bedrooms and waiting for my call. But I'm not sure they're the ones I want. Giuseppe says I should ask you. So that's what I'm doing. If you've read the story and think you have a better idea, let us know.  

9 comments:

Unknown said...

I don't think Tilda's sensual enough. Cate Blanchett would get my vote though. Ang Lee is a good choice - do you really want DDL learning to be a farmer on your budget though? He takes his acting terribly seriously, he'd have to learn ploughing before he could audition.

It's great that he likes the collection - you must have sighed mightily in relief when the verdict was made known. Puff of white smoke, was it?

Charles Lambert said...

Well, so far he's only read the title story. I'm not sure what he'll think of the, er, hotter stuff in the middle of the book!

Yes, I'd prefer Cate Blanchett. I won't tell you who I'd like for Joseph, not just yet, but it certainly isn't DDL!

Tania Hershman said...

Wow, that's amazing that after 22 years, your partner finally gets to read your work - and likes it! Hmm, those wouldn't be the actors I'd pick, not how I saw it. Let me see. I saw Joseph as younger, maybe Ed Norton? And Miriam... how about the wonderful Scottish actress from Trainspotting, Kelly MacDonald. Whaddya think?

maika said...

Joseph should be Harvey Keitel, he has that rugged isolated rustic appeal, or maybe I am being influenced by the film "The Piono"!

Anonymous said...

Funnily enough my boyfriend and I were lying in bed over the weekend saying what cold, unattractive fish both Day-Lewis and Swinton are - and Ang Lee, whom I used to love, needs to do something coherent to restore my faith at this stage. You need warmer people with more life-blood.

That Harvey Keitel thing made me laugh - wishful thinking! Those were the days, eh...

Anonymous said...

Oh fab, the film is sorted then. So is mine for Blonde Roots. Director: Sam Mendes, Bwana played by Forrest Whittaker. Doris by Kate Winslet. I've written to them already to let them know I'm ready to start filming in January.

Charles Lambert said...

Hmm, Tania, Edward Norton? Not bad, but not quite. I'll search out dome photos of Kelly MacDonald, because I can't remember her. But talking of Trainspotting, I do have a soft spot for Ewan MacGregor as Joseph. With Kate Winslet as Miriam.

Mike, Keitel's too old! He just is.

Yes, Ms Baroque, I find them both a bit too cold, and a bit too mannered as well. The last Ang Lee film I saw was Brokeback Mountain, and I didn't have any problems with that, though his Hulk was unwatchably bad. Jury out.

Sorry, Bernardine, I've booked Kate Winslet for January(see above)!

VitaVagabonda said...

I'm good with Ang Lee, but: con buona pace to Giuseppe, I'm really over both of the actors he mentions; Tilda makes me yawn (good god, woman, get some sun). That said: I vote for Ryan Gosling and Felicity Huffman. Actually, (I'd be tempted by Edward Norton, too, and my first thought for Miriam was Sandra Oh. Given what feels like the "period" of the story, though, she might pull focus.)

maika said...

Oh dear, I am reflecting my age, not that I fancy Harvey Keitel, its just I didn't realize that Joseph was so attractive,otherwise why would he be writing to find a woman, If we want attractive how about that guy can't recall his name who used to go out with Kylie!!