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In Reply to: Watched Master and Commander tonight posted by Victor Khomenko on November 16, 2004 at 18:35:42:
Victor,I was a fan of Patrick O'rian through his Picasso biography, but have been astounded at the cult surrounding the Aubrey/Maturin novels. I have friends who wre obsessed by the story and lured by O'Biran's writings and deep historic detail. Then there was the cookbook and historical nautical appendix. With one friend I have been along visiting on about a dozen tall ships from Vancouver to San Diego. The cult has an amazing number of members. Suprisingly in some ways, it appears that over half of the hard core are women.
A few years ago, I read 100 pages of the first one "Master and Commander" and decided I didn't need another addiction- it is really compelling!
Tthe thing is, All my friends who read all the way through to the unfinished "21" - and it seems that no one that starts will not finish- saw the "Master and Commander" movie in the cinema and said vehemently- "don't bother." > Historically inaccurate, loses key episodes, combines and compresses characters and events, avoids the political and scientific content, etc., etc. In effect, "We liked the books so much, no movie could do it properly."
In the books, it is the personality and relationship of Aubrey and Maturin that drive the narrative. I can see from my small experience of the books that the movie could not relate that subtlty and so went to CG battle scenes with all else acting as filler. Also, the main pair had much different personalities- in the books they were shown as real Age of Enlightenment figures- intellect and action in harmony- and in the movie- well guys with jobs.
I liked a lot of the atmosphere created and the battle scenes rang true, but on the whole this ship was a pretty but empty hull.
A few days ago, at Barnes and Noble, I saw the complete novels in a collection for $150 and I think that is the way to ebjoy O'Brian in the most satisfying way. For Thanksgiving, I'll be serving the traditional Royal Navy entree of "millers"*** this year.
Cheers,
Bam
***oh, rats!
Follow Ups:
Similar to the "Audio Cult"? I can assure you the POB readers, while passionate, are hardly a cult. It's hardly a surprise people can still be seduced by a well told tale and the romance of tall ships.I've traversed the cannon thrice over the past 10 years, and I've been lurking about POB websites for years.Contrary to your friends' dismissal of the movie, many, MANY POB fans liked or loved the film. Of course, those POB fanatics who wished for a literal version of a single volume were disappointed, as were the people desirous of an old-time swashbuckler a la Errol Flynn.
I was not disappointed. I think Weir gave us something much more interesting than a literal tale or a romp. The relationship between Aubrey and Maturin is the core of the film, as it is in the novels. That relationship is used to explore themes of leadership, friendship and obligation. NO FILLER. Use your eyes and ears. The film tells its story visually, subtlely dillineating the subtext and themes even to the very corners of the frame. It is hardly a CGI actioner.
I'm OK with M&C not being someone's cuppa. But I get irritated when people dismiss this film becuae it wan't "like the books". I its essence, if not it's precise plot, M&C is very like the books. Indeed, the texture and details are very true to the details and spirit of the POB volumes.
A film is not a book. The language of cinema is visual - it must "show" not "tell". Rather than a literal plot from one novel, Weir gives us the essence of POB's themes, makes them his own, and gives us something new and rich. One film could never encompass the detail and complexity of a 20 volume sage. (20 books were out at the time of production.)
M&C is the thniking person's adventure film. I agrreee with the majority of critic's who called it hte best film of its kind ever made. I don't worry about literal minded fans who want to see a re-enactment of the books.
Ahoy Harmonia!Good points.
I concentrated on the furour surrounding the POB novels as adaptations are always controversial, but at least among the people I know, no controversy has equalled that for "M&C".
"Harry Potter" and "LOTR" are other obvious recent examples of books that caught on in a big way, then someone decides to film it and the arguments begin. I have never read HP but absolutely hated the movies- there's nothing more repulsive than smug, privledged English middle class children with magic powers!
But with POB, the readers are mostly educated adults and everyone is so drawn by the narrative and O'Brian's writinf style, the "cultist"- really serious people, just can not allow themselves to be swayed by the movies. I called this a "cult" as the PB readers I know had a reaction that was more than a bit automatic- I believe they feel obligated to dislike the movie. In music I do the same thing ocassionally- disliking Stotkowski's Bach transcriptions lets me feel superior, a purist, the original fan before it came on MTV.
It's possible becuse of loyalty to the orginal creator =POB to have this kind of reaction- the mechanism seems to be that the movie-makers are just cashing in on something wonderful and subtle that was made popular within a small circle.
As I mentioned, I have very small experience with the books, but as much as I liked the papable battle scenes and historic detail, I thought the A&M parts were both miscast, especially Crowe who just doesn't exude the beautifully wrought intellect of the book Cap't- I kept seeing him as an actor pretending passion and culture.
But yes, comparatively, M&C is a thinking person's adventure. I only wish it was a deeper adventure, but that would mean a much longer movie..
I like very much your comment on Aubrey and Maturin, "That relationship is used to explore themes of leadership, friendship and obligation." Very well said.
Cheers,
Bambi B
Thanks, Bam, interesting observations.I agree that the captain/doc relationship is only presented in a quick sketch format, but that in itself didn't bother me, as it was just a sideline in the film... an important one, perhaps, but still not the major area, and their rather superficial conflict did not detract me from absorbing the rest of the movie.
Of course, having not read the book, I do not have any emotional investment of the cult members.
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