I am curious to see this film as I have heard that it is very good, however I would like to know if the story is very similar to Louis de Bernieres' other books?
I recently read "The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts" and absolutely hated it. I found his treatment of torture, rape and general violence very flippant, excessive and disturbing, and will avoid this movie like the plague if it is at all similar!
Thanks.
It is not like his other work in plot, but shares the magical use of language and mythology. I think that you are meant to read his flippancy as rather ironic - if you read the rest of the South American trilogy, you will see that de Berniere is appalled by the senseless and excessive violence that does exist in the world - especailly where organised crime is concerned.
Proof that God has a sense of humour - George W is President.
Thanks for your reply. I probably wasn't in the right frame of mind to read this book - the quotes on the cover called it "a hilarious comedy" (or things to that effect) without any real mention of the darkness inherent in the story; I expected a much gentler ride and wasn't at all prepared for the brutality. I think the clash between my expectation and the reality meant that neither the humour and irony nor the darkness really had the right effect - I just felt queasy and violated.
Maybe I'll be brave and give it anyother try :-)
May I recommend -- especially since you have actually waded thru the novel -- that you try the audiotape performance? Stephen Lange's reading is, IMHO, masterful, all the characters' voices are distinct (from each other) and "spot on", and I would say the humor comes thru as quite a few scenes I was rolling with laughter. The grim realities come thru, too, of course, but I would offer that, in the reading, there is something that keeps the awfulness "in check" -- this is hard to put in words -- a good example is the scene of the mine being set off, there was something about the reader's expression as the explosion begins that had me giggling and then as it spreads outward & back down my giggle turned to horror and my jaw dropped. Anyway, I am recommending this book-on-tape to anyone who didn't get thru the novel (or, in your case, did) or paid real dollars to see that awful film rendition. --Landis
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