About the film: Scott Staley is a survivor of the attack on the Twin Towers. He stayed home from work at the day of the attack, thus surviving the drama. But as King writes: survivors are victims too. For they are haunted by nightmares, feelings of guilt and remorse. As is Scott. But suddenly, something strange happens: all kinds of junk appears in Scotts apartment, like a farting cushion, a pair of fake glasses, a small statue and a baseball bat. Every piece comes straight from Scott's past. They belonged to his colleagues, whom he has lost during the 9/11-attacks. Scott desperately tries to get rid of the stuff, but whenever he gives them away, they appear back in his apartment within minutes. Throwing stuff away doesn't work either: as soon as he gets back to his apartment, the belongings are back. Slowly, Scott realises what he should do. Finally, he brings the stuff back to the relatives of his colleagues, who are very happy to be returned something that belonged to their dearly beloved.
My opinion: This is obviously a story by the 'older' Stephen King. In a sublime manner he poses a dramatic story, to which he adds a supernatural element. He did this before on 'The Green Mile', but King shows he knows his way with a short story as well. Add this to the fact that the 9/11 attacks are burnt into everyones memory . Therefore the story grabs you right away, and doesn't let go. This story was Kings outlet to write away his feelings on this matter. It's not an easy task to film such a sensitive and personal story in a decent manner. Pablo Macho Maysonet IV knows exactly what he's doing, and delivered a true masterpiece. The camera-work is typical for a modern filmmaker: a lot of out of focus shots, moving camera– shots and often a special placement of the camera (very high or very low). One thing I didn't like that much was the lighting. In Scott's nightmare scenes, the lighting changes to bright green or bright blue. In itself, there's nothing wrong with that, but Scott has a LOT of nightmares. Therefore it happens that you're watching a bright green screen for minutes on end, with a couple of shadows walking through. It does make clear which scenes are dreamt by Scott, and which are reality. A matter of taste, I guess.
Maysonet keeps a fine tempo, so the film doesn't bore at all. The story itself is not one with a lot of action and tension, but by skillfully switching dream sequences and reality the film keeps a great speed. An above average, worthy adaptation of quite an emotional story.
My vote: 8/10.
Danny Paap Stephen King Fanclub Netherlands
My opinion: This is obviously a story by the 'older' Stephen King. In a sublime manner he poses a dramatic story, to which he adds a supernatural element. He did this before on 'The Green Mile', but King shows he knows his way with a short story as well. Add this to the fact that the 9/11 attacks are burnt into everyones memory . Therefore the story grabs you right away, and doesn't let go. This story was Kings outlet to write away his feelings on this matter. It's not an easy task to film such a sensitive and personal story in a decent manner. Pablo Macho Maysonet IV knows exactly what he's doing, and delivered a true masterpiece. The camera-work is typical for a modern filmmaker: a lot of out of focus shots, moving camera– shots and often a special placement of the camera (very high or very low). One thing I didn't like that much was the lighting. In Scott's nightmare scenes, the lighting changes to bright green or bright blue. In itself, there's nothing wrong with that, but Scott has a LOT of nightmares. Therefore it happens that you're watching a bright green screen for minutes on end, with a couple of shadows walking through. It does make clear which scenes are dreamt by Scott, and which are reality. A matter of taste, I guess.
Maysonet keeps a fine tempo, so the film doesn't bore at all. The story itself is not one with a lot of action and tension, but by skillfully switching dream sequences and reality the film keeps a great speed. An above average, worthy adaptation of quite an emotional story.
My vote: 8/10.
Danny Paap Stephen King Fanclub Netherlands
