The first half of the original book is very similar to a youth novel, vivid, exciting and idealized; the middle and rear parts of the original book are very memoirs and comprehensive documentary, so they are a bit boring and long, and the characters (mainly Tim) are comprehensive because of negative content, Real but not flattering. At the end of the writing, Tim himself must have entered the late stage of physical decline, and his literary quality is poor. Between the lines, the idea of "let's write some more about John's life" is revealed. The hardest thing about Tim for me is that he never reflects on his life once rambunctious. Even after learning that it was John who was infected by himself, he would still have sex with other young and beautiful bodies, and his fate would not change. John in the book is perfect, but Tim is weak, it is because of Tim's deep love for John and his sincerity to the reader. The first half is very similar to the novel "Call Me by Your Name" but slightly less than the latter, but this is the most exciting and evocative part of the whole book.
About the movie:
The best part of the movie is the background music BGM, and the other is to restore John's slender eyelashes in the novel. The changes to the plot of the film are also relatively natural. However, there are also many shortcomings in the movie. For example, when I was a teenager, I couldn't find young actors around 15 years old to play Tim and John, which led to watching the two uncles play too much; There is no change; for example, there is no clear distinction between priorities, the first half of the most exciting part has been deleted too much, and the second half is also copied from the original work. For such a film with a strong sense of place, the first scene is a beautiful Italian street scene. The director really doesn't understand the audience's mind.
Behind the scenes:
The original and stage plays of Holding the Man are household names in Australia, so many of the director and screenwriter's arrangements are for the audience who understand the story. In the behind-the-scenes interview, Ryan is generous and Craig is radically witty and humorous, completely different from John's personality. The director and screenwriter, however, have no ambitions and are strict. No wonder such a good story, all kinds of problems are passing by, as if the contradictions and conflicts are deliberately weakened.
Beyond Art:
The original description of Tim's entry into the Gaysoc Society at Monash University, which I happened to be watching at the Monash Queer Lounge, was so similar to what I experienced in real life that it gave me goosebumps. By the end of the day, the library was about to close, I skipped some final therapy sessions, and I didn't take much interest in Tim and Bob's argument. After reading the last letter to John, there were only the staff and me in the library. He quickly packed his things, and while walking, he recalled the acquaintance and love between Tim and John and the final separation. Thinking that they were once the lives that lived and disappeared on the land under their feet, I couldn't help but wet my eyes with tears. When a male classmate saw my expression, he was a little surprised and hesitantly asked "You all right mate?", but I was too embarrassed to answer, so I could only leave quickly...
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