Will there be a Remake? - The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973) Discussion

[–] Nikon11 17 years ago

I don't really understand remakes.

I mean, the movie exists, so why do we need to see it re-done?

Like it would be better seeing Brad Pitt playing Eddie and Gary Oldman as Dillon? No thanks.

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[–] paul_rothchild 17 years ago

To introduce the story, character, and world to a whole new generation of film goers.

To, through advances in technology, cinematography, film quality, sound, and special effects, tell the story on a grander, more contemporary level.

To feature a deeper, more well rounded cast.

There are plenty of reasons to remake a great but little seen film like "The Friends of Eddie Croyle".

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[–] dep1353 17 years ago

....Maybe a remake will help develop an interest in the original.

....But who nowadays could generate the chemistry that Mitchum and Jordan provided in their scenes together?

....Have a nice day.

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[–] mlbroberts 16 years ago

I can see Johnny Depp in the Jordan role (he's a Jordan kind of actor - nice to look at, can be all different kinds of sinister, and he's interested in good roles with meat on the bones), but I'm having trouble with Mitchum = I don't see anybody around today that can play that crumpled, worn out, beaten down but still finagling and horny as hell character. They just don't let actors age anymore.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] emuir-1 11 years ago

What about Nick Nolte for the title role.

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[–] loreginia 10 years ago

Why not Liam Neeson? Or Jeff Bridges :D

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[–] mlbroberts 10 years ago

Liam Neeson can only do a Liam Neeson kind of role (not all that nuanced) and could never pull off Eddie. I would like to have seen Robin Williams take a stab at it - he was an actor of more depth than he got credit for, and he could have pulled off that crumpled look and attitude very well.

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[–] dalldorfw 9 years ago

"....Maybe a remake will help develop an interest in the original."

That has happened. When the 'Halloween' remake came out, people were renting/buying more copies of the original because it reminded them of when 'Halloween' was something good.

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[–] Nikon11 17 years ago

I get what you're saying - but I can't think of any remakes that've been any good. And they're always compared to the original, and not usually in very good terms.

I don't see any need for special effects, and the cast was perfect.

But I'll admit to not knowing what the hell "well-rounded cast" actually means.

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[–] paul_rothchild 17 years ago

Surely you jest. Perhaps you've not given it enough thought.

Try these solid remakes on for size:

John Carpenter's The Thing
Cape Fear
The Departed - remake of Internal Affairs
Oceans Eleven
The Fly
The Magnificent Seven - remake of The Seven Samurai

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[–] dep1353 17 years ago

....For the most part, the films you listed were either action, western or sci-fi. "Eddie Coyle", being more character driven, is not really a film that could be improved by the advances you mentioned.

....Actually, the only issue I have with "Eddie Coyle" is the soundtrack, and only in parts ( something about the guitar work, I think ).

....And I agree with Nikon11, I can't think of a more deep and well rounded cast. Maybe you have some suggestions?

....Have a nice day.

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[–] Oliver-50 17 years ago

I love that this film is a bit of a hidden treasure. I found out about it when it was on Roger Ebert's top ten list of 1973 and decided to track down a bootleg on Ebay. I think the film is better left alone. Besides, why remake an already near-perfect movie? Why not take a crappy movie and remake it into a good one? Like Leonard Part 6, remade with Ice Cube. I'm just saying.

Walk. Don't Drive. Save money, your heart, and the environment.

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[–] Nikon11 17 years ago

I agree.

I found out about the book by listening to Howie Carr. And then, the same as you, found a bootleg DVD on ebay (decent quality, too).

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[–] paul_rothchild 17 years ago

I listed 6 very good to great remakes off the top of my head, and you dismissed these for "the most part" as "either action, western, or sci-fi".

The makers of "Cape Fear", "Oceans Eleven", and "The Departed" (3 of the 6, or 50% of the films I listed) would beg to differ with your characterization - none of them are action, wester, or scifi.

In fact "Cape Fear" and "The Departed" in particular underscore my point. Both were mystery/thrillers, based on a number of complex and interesting characters that drove the plot, with great performances in the original - the original "Cape Fear" notably starring Robert Mitchum.

And "Oceans Eleven" was hardly an action movie, but rather a comedic heist movie with a number of great characters.

All three remakes were fine films and with fine performances (Robert DeNiro in "Cape Fear" anyone?).

I guess the reality is that this debate happens anytime you discuss a remake of a great film. I'm sure there were plenty of cries from fans loyal to the original against remaking "Cape Fear" or "The Departed", etc.

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[–] dep1353 17 years ago

....I never meant to dismiss those films. Some of my favorite movies are action, western and sci-fi. My point was that all the "advances" in technology, cinematography, film quality, sound, and special effects really can't add that much to great performances.

....Actually, your suggestion that the remake could feature a deeper, more well rounded cast strikes me as a little dismissive.

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[–] Nikon11 17 years ago

Yes, I totally agree.

And as wrote above, the cast here is perfect.

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[–] dep1353 17 years ago

....As to the depth of the cast, Helena Carroll, who played Eddie's wife Sheila, was probably better known for her stage work ( including the original "Separate Tables" and "Oliver", and revivals of "Design for Living" and Private Lives" ). Maybe her finest film role was as Aunt Kate in Huston's "The Dead".

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[–] Nikon11 17 years ago

I don't jest here.

Your list:

John Carpenter's The Thing - Didn't see it.

Cape Fear - Saw it a long time ago, and thought that DeNiro overplayed it, and I don't care about it.

The Departed - remake of Internal Affairs - Doesn't really count as a remake, because the original is foreign, so there's a reason for it. It's not just re-doing a movie for the sake of re-doing it.

Oceans Eleven - I can't even remember if I saw it - so I couldn't have been that impressed.

The Fly - Saw it and don't remember it, and don't care.

The Magnificent Seven - remake of The Seven Samurai - Didn't see it.

So, my opinion isn't changed.

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[–] paul_rothchild 17 years ago

Your opinion, such as it is, is duly noted.

As an aside, if you have the time, you should do yourself a favor and watch (or rewatch) some of these films. You will not be disappointed. They are all very strong films in their respective genres.

And as for DeNiro overacting in the "Cape Fear" remake, he was nominated for an Academy Award for that role.

But as you note, it is just your "opinion" so to each his own.

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[–] Nikon11 17 years ago

Yes, such as it is.

And I can't imagine anyone else coming close to Mitchum talking about his busted knuckles, Alex Rocco describing his girlfriend's pants, or Peter Boyle taking Eddie for a ride.

So, yeah, if it were remade, with today's big-name stars, it would probably be a big-budget, flashy, over the top production. Sure, it would spark some interest in this original version, and probably even in the book. But it's not something that I'd look forward to seeing done.

Did you read the book? I did before I saw the film, and the characters were almost exactly how I imagined them. That almost never happens. So, to me, it's near perfect the way it is.

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[–] dep1353 17 years ago

....How 'bout a nice, modestly budgeted French adaptation with Daniel Auteuil as Eddie?

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[–] joonas2058932 16 years ago

YES IT WILL BE,,,

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[–] kbjornsen 16 years ago

paul rothchild wrote:
-To introduce the story, character, and world to a whole new generation of film goers. To, through advances in technology, cinematography, film quality, sound, and special effects, tell the story on a grander, more contemporary level.
To feature a deeper, more well rounded cast.
There are plenty of reasons to remake a great but little seen film like "The Friends of Eddie Croyle".

Eh...The best introduction for anyone would be to watch the actual movie. Which is called The Friends of Eddie Coyle, and it came out in 1973. NOT...i repeat...NOT making a slick boring candycoatet waste of celluloid to make bucks off another classic movie. Why not try making something new? Something original!
This "new generation" you're talking about (which includes myself, I guess, I'm 33))doesn't need a crappy remake to appreciate anything. I just hate the word, the whole notion of the word "remake". It's all over the imdb boards, like it's a natural and positive thing.
And to elaborate on your further points.. technology, cinematography, quality, sound and so on: The film is how it is, and it's damn good. What the hell are they going to do? It's not low quality in ANY of the respects you mention. And one last point, if anyone even dares to even touch the Dave Grusin soundtrack...well, then I'm going to freak out for real...

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[–] Oliver-50 16 years ago

Bravo kbjornsen!

Walk. Don't Drive. Save money, your heart, and the environment.

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[–] jaygill-1 16 years ago

Agreed! Leave the great movies alone!

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[–] curtom79 16 years ago

By making Jackie Brown, Tarantino has shown that he knows how to make a character driven film like TFoEC.... in case of remake, he should be the director !

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] jcl295 16 years ago

Deeper, more well rounded cast?

Robert Mitchum, Peter Boyle and Alex Rocco have a message for you;

go f_u_ck yourself. What, it'd be better with Zac Efron and Jon Voight?

Tell the story on a grander more contemporary level?

Moron, the movie is set in 1973, should we make EVERY movie to 'contemporize' them? A grander level? There's nothing 'grand' about Eddie Coyle, it's a small, mean film about small, mean people. It's beautiful in its pathetic quality, intimate in its doom.

Go

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[–] Tedium1 14 years ago

"To feature a deeper, more well rounded cast. "

a deeper,more well rounded cast, than the original cast. Thats impossible!

" I intend to live forever......So far, so good."

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[–] itchyredness 11 years ago

Good call on Pitt, since he starred in Killing them Softly.

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[–] Tashtago 14 years ago

Please god NO REMAKES! Can anyone give me an example of a re-make that was as good as the original?

King Kong re-make dud
Planet of the Apes dud
Willy Wonka - dud
Pyscho-dud
even Get Smart dud

as for Rothchild's list

The Thing- not an improvement
Cape Fear - good for a while but the cast isn't as good and the ending is awful. So what if De Niro got an Academy Award nomination- Shakespeare in Love WON an academy award for best picture.
Magnificent Seven isn't a re-make it's the American version of a Japanese film different setting, characters, dialogue so on..

etc etc. no remakes . or okay maybe they could remake the Godfather (insert sarcastic sneer)

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[–] cosmicly 13 years ago

That's a really tough question, Paul. Usually it's not clear, until after the "remake" is remade, and by then it is too late to "unmake" it.

I find that movie goers, and movie enthusiasts (like those on imdb) tend to be sort of close minded when it comes to remakes of their favorite films. For example, I was recently surprised at the incredibly NEGATIVE response to the idea of remaking DIRTY DANCING.

Some movies have been remade so many times that it seems like each generation has their own version. For example, BEN-HUR or MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY or MOBY DICK. The various versions all seem okay.

One example of a movie that has been remade a number of times, but in my opinion has never come close to the original in quality or impact, is MIRACLE ON 34th STREET. In particular, Natalie Wood is so outstanding in the original that it seems unfair, perhaps even cruel, to ask any young actress to try to do a version of Susan Walker that is even the slightest bit as good as Natalie's.

So the question is: would a remake of THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE be comparable to the original? Because I like this movie so much, and am such a fan of Robert Mitchum, I feel that Mitchum "owns" this part, so any remake would be looked upon as an inferior imitation.

But I must honestly admit, you never know for sure until you try.

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[–] ged5292 13 years ago

The Town was somewhere between an homage and a remake.

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[–] GrigoryGirl 13 years ago

The Town lifted a lot from Eddie Coyle, a little too much if you ask me.

Eddie was the better film.

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[–] mazaldivar 11 years ago

I really don't understand folks that openly admit to thinking a film is "incredible" and also wanting a remake of said movie.

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[–] Woodyanders 9 years ago

This film doesn't need a remake; it's fine the way it is.

I am the Duke of IMDb bio writers! I am A#1!

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[–] dalldorfw 9 years ago

Well, let's see; it's a movie and it exists. I'd say this most definitely will be remade.

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[–] tiikeri-98004 8 years ago

I HOPE THEY MADE. I LIKED THE MOVIE

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