The Devil's Candy - The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990) Discussion

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] Flatbed 20 years ago

I have read it cover to cover 8 or 9 times
The best guilty pleasure read along with "Easy Riders/Raging Bulls", "Spike Mike Slackers and Dykes" and "The Late Shift"

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[–] boyinthedrain 20 years ago

Was DePalma sleeping with Aimee?

www.firsttimecaller.com

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[–] prognathous 19 years ago

I'm one of the few who really enjoyed the film. Any chance reading this book would ruin it for me? If so, then I think I'll skip it.

Prog.

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[–] I_have_a_brain_cloud 18 years ago

I just finished it and no, if you already like the movie, I don't think reading the book will change anything for you. The book is very non-judgmental, in fact it's rather extraordinarily objective, all things considered. I agree with the poster above that DePalma comes across very well, as do Eric Schwab (especially) and a few other crew members. The more minor actors also come across well. She seems a little harsh on Bruce Willis and Melanie Griffiths, but I think that's probably just because some of the things that they do on the set are pretty much turn-offs for most of us. There's very little about Tom--it seems that she didn't have (or wasn't able to get) much one-on-one contact with him, but he comes off, as usual, as a really nice guy who doesn't handle prima donnas (male and female) very well.

away from the things of man, away from the things of man

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[–] Joe_Scaramanga 20 years ago

I'm reading it again at the moment (third or fourth time now).
It's an absolutely fascinating read if you're interested in the behind the scenes goings on in Hollywood (I still love the fact that Morgan Freeman's casting caused such chaos of a kind you don't really consider when watching a film)

Great read.

"I've made over 100 films, sir. How many have you made?"
"One GOOD one."

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[–] cordesensibles 19 years ago

Just finished it. Great read!!! very entertaining. I have yet to see the movie and can't wait to do so. It'll put a lot of stuff into perspective.

One lesson learned from that book: Trust your instincts.

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[–] highlander9 19 years ago

Definitely one of the most entertaining books I've ever read - not just film, but anything. It really makes one thing apparent - all the hype, blowhard talk in the world can't replace a good script and a singular vision. I happened to watch a documentary on the Shawshank Redemption the same day I finished the book and it was like seeing two opposite experiences in the world of film.

I have to say that Eric Schwab was definitely the hero of the book and to be honest, I didn't think Brian Depalma came off badly. I don't why he thought he could pull this off but everyone makes mistakes. Great stuff.

"When you get bashed by so many people on the IMDb you are destined for super stardom!" Monroe Mann

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[–] FeverDog 18 years ago

Yeah, I've read it a couple of times too. I dig books about movies and the movies, and this one was fascinating. When you're finished you understand why the movie bombed. Also informative was the book's section on Casualties of War.

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[–] dgz78 8 years ago

The book is hard on Willis since he was so aloof with everyone (he had his two bodyguards, a body double and his personal makeup artist) compared to Hanks.

But the person that comes off worst (on a per minutes screen time basis) is Geraldo Rivera. Even the crew laughed at his sense of self-importance.

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