Reader Review of 'The Frog King' Screenplay
This was actually sent to me in early July. At the time, I'd never heard anything about The Frog King, but its sure relevant now:I thought i'd share my thoughts after reading it. It sucked. Not that Ellis did a bad job structuring the story or writing dialogue or doing anything a writer adapting a script does, but the story and presumably the book, are stupid. The man character is the most unsympathatic idiot. He's a drunk, sleeping with the woman that owns his company to get ahead, cheats on his girlfriend, etc. The only likeable character is the girl he meets who is overly idealized and 2D.
people describe it as Bright Lights Big City meets High Fidelity, except that both the protagonists in those stories were decent guys and were only slightly pathetic. Joshua Jackson(dawson's creek) is attached to play the lead, which i see fitting since I dont like him or the character.
LINK
Comments: 6 (closed)
Previous Comments
[1] On Aug-20-2004, sm wrote:fuck I should learn how to spell
I guess I could have written a more critical and eloquent review of the script, but I was pretty bummed with how lame it was.
[2] On Aug-23-2004, mike wrote:
i bought this book because it had a review by BEE on the cover. i was not dissapointed at all. i don't know why you hated it so much but i thought it was brilliant and i'm looking forward to seeing it as a movie.
[3] On Aug-25-2004, sm wrote:
I assume the book is better, but in the script, the main character just wasn't likable.
Also, I have a pet peeve for films with a self-depricating male protagonist who meets the perfect "quirky" girl who essentially is just outgoing so the dorky guy doesnt have to try (i.e. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). This wasn't quite that, but close enough that I stopped caring pretty quickly.
I guess I just don't relate
[4] On Aug-26-2004, mike wrote:
well, "the frog king" definitly is about "a self-depricating male protagonist who meets the perfect "quirky" girl who essentially is just outgoing so the dorky guy doesnt have to try (i.e. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)." - however, for one, i don't mind that. two - she breaks up with him, so at least that makes it more realistic and less cliche.
i think it's easier to relate to and like "the frog king" if you are quirky, a male, or a mess. and like you said you just don't relate. i haven't read the screenplay, but i can tell you the book, i thought, was really good. you are obviously a bret easton ellis fan if you are on this website, and he liked it enough to make it a movie! so it can't be so bad.
but, question: how were you able to read the screenplay?
[5] On Aug-29-2004, sm wrote:
When an agent is trying to sell a client's script or get a client a pitch meeting, copies of their work get sent all around town. So a lot of people end up reading everything that has any buzz or is getting produced. As far as Ellis' script, Variety reported that Intermedia has optioned it and Asif Kapadia is in negotiations to direct. I dunno how solid the Joshua Jackson thing is
[6] On Sep-04-2004, mike wrote:
oh, okay. is there anywhere that the average student could access it?
and, for anyone, whas happened to bret's "normal girl" screenplay?
i wonder if he ever checks this website, cause we have so many questions.