100 percent agree! I think gray would have been delighted with the film esp all the sex as he was a naughty minded man! 😂 film and books different mediums and faithful film/play adaptations of novels are hardly ever good. What better homage to the uniqueness of Alasdair Gray then to have an equally unique director give the narrative their own film flavour.
I can attest to Gray being "naughty minded". When I was student he came to do a reading at my uni and tried spectacularly - and failed spectacularly - to seduce all the women at the houseparty we threw for him afterwards.
I’m not a critic of the film, but I feel it necessitates contributions from those more insightful than myself about our rather weak film industry and how it relates to our literature. If I’ve prompted some folk to think about that then I’m chuffed.
Those objections around the film are oddly reminiscent of a pre-devolution, less confident Scotland. Some of Gray’s work is very particularly Scottish, but “Poor Things” isn’t really. I’d agree that it is, above all, a response to “Frankenstein”, responding to some of the implications of that novel for the female character the female author didn’t draw, in a brilliantly evoked historical period. There might be some reservations about “the industry” recontextualising yet another story for its own purposes, a thing which does often have its unforeseen consequences. But, quality is quality.
That is so true. And a bit weird when Scottish culture is so obviously in rude health across all disciplines. Complaining about the cringe is the new cringe.
Albeit that some musicians esp are up in arms about cuts to ScotGov, and there is consternation at the prospect of Aberdeen Uni ceasing with the teaching of Gaelic...
Re Alasdair Gray's 'naughty' behaviour. The character Bella Baxter, is a play on Bell Baxter, a school in Cupar Fife. Re film not being "Scottish based"...i always felt it had more universal appeal than some of his other work.
100 percent agree! I think gray would have been delighted with the film esp all the sex as he was a naughty minded man! 😂 film and books different mediums and faithful film/play adaptations of novels are hardly ever good. What better homage to the uniqueness of Alasdair Gray then to have an equally unique director give the narrative their own film flavour.
I can attest to Gray being "naughty minded". When I was student he came to do a reading at my uni and tried spectacularly - and failed spectacularly - to seduce all the women at the houseparty we threw for him afterwards.
Eh, cheers for the mention I guess.
I commend to you my usual approach to these things, Gavin: "I don't care what you say about me as long as you spell my fucking name right."
I actually liked your doc. You got some very good interviews out of people, and more nuance than I probably give you credit for.
Indeed. Also, any publicity and aw that.
I’m not a critic of the film, but I feel it necessitates contributions from those more insightful than myself about our rather weak film industry and how it relates to our literature. If I’ve prompted some folk to think about that then I’m chuffed.
Well said.
I confess I hadn’t watched it but now will. Both the film (which I intended to) and, afterward, your documentary. Thank you both.
Those objections around the film are oddly reminiscent of a pre-devolution, less confident Scotland. Some of Gray’s work is very particularly Scottish, but “Poor Things” isn’t really. I’d agree that it is, above all, a response to “Frankenstein”, responding to some of the implications of that novel for the female character the female author didn’t draw, in a brilliantly evoked historical period. There might be some reservations about “the industry” recontextualising yet another story for its own purposes, a thing which does often have its unforeseen consequences. But, quality is quality.
That is so true. And a bit weird when Scottish culture is so obviously in rude health across all disciplines. Complaining about the cringe is the new cringe.
Albeit that some musicians esp are up in arms about cuts to ScotGov, and there is consternation at the prospect of Aberdeen Uni ceasing with the teaching of Gaelic...
ScotGov funding, that should have read...
That is a disgrace, especially considering the history.
Wholeheartedly agree!
Re Alasdair Gray's 'naughty' behaviour. The character Bella Baxter, is a play on Bell Baxter, a school in Cupar Fife. Re film not being "Scottish based"...i always felt it had more universal appeal than some of his other work.
I always wondered about that Fife connection.
"with Proper Kelvinside accents"
Exactly
Now I'm RUNNING to the Everyman to watch it!!!
Let me know what you think!
100% agree.....film captured essence of book, beautifully, as some of the best film/book adaptations have.
Thank you, GH.