"A Sly, Violent, Funny And Superbly Written Story Of Friendship, Greed And Betrayal"
That's what the AP called Elmore's novel, Road Dogs
I wish I could pull quotes from the book, but I mowed through it when we were in Paris in December, and Gregg had to pass that copy on to somebody at Rivage, Elmore's French publisher.
Funny, too, to read it in Paris, since most of it takes place just down the block from me, in the Venice canals. It's a super-fun read. I loved it. Here's the rest of the final quote from the AP piece:
"Road Dogs" is vintage Leonard -- a sly, violent, funny and superbly written story of friendship, greed and betrayal. It's the writer's 43rd novel, Leonard still at the top of his game at the age of 83.
P.S. If you happen to know George Clooney, wouldja ask him to please reprise his role of Foley (from Out of Sight
I've always thought Tim Dorsey's books would make for greart movies
Florida Roadkill: A Novel
lujlp at May 11, 2009 5:13 AM
A new Leonard! Great!
Out of Sight was very good, but the best Leonard movie I've seen was Get Shorty. A funny, clever movie that made good use of Leonard's terrific dialogue. The worst was its sequel, Be Cool. I gave up after 20 minutes.
kishke at May 11, 2009 7:04 AM
I wish Barry Sonnenfeld, who directed GS, would do another. He knows how to direct EL's characters. Elmore told the asshat who directed Be Cool what Barry knows -- that the characters don't know they're funny. You don't have mugging reaction shots. That makes it unfunny.
Also, Barry was director enough to tell Travolta that no, he wasn't going to dance in the movie. The director of Be Cool was not, and he and Uma Thurman did this tiresome chemistry-free romp across the dance floor. I like the girl, but she's about as sexy as polished Scandinavian furniture most of the time. Also, they cut out the great character of Elaine from the book.
Elmore does wonderful, strong woman characters. The woman in Killshot is another favorite of mine. In the book Killshot, that is. The movie, which opened in about one theater and then closed, was a disappointment. Worth seeing, however, for Mickey Rourke, who is just great in it. But, read the book. It's fantastic. Great, great opening chapter with Blackbird, the American Indian hit man taking somebody out.
Oh, sorry -- was I supposed to say "Native American"? I don't understand why it's un PC or somehow awful to say "American Indian."
Amy Alkon at May 11, 2009 7:21 AM
I switched off Be Cool when I saw they had turned hard-boiled western girl Linda Moon into some disadvantaged Latino kid who sang some inspiring-type song about living your dreams or some such crap. It was awful before that scene, but that was the clincher for me. All the cool was leached right out of the story.
I agree, btw, about the woman character in Killshot. She was the best thing in the book. Haven't seen the movie.
kishke at May 11, 2009 8:20 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/05/11/a_sly_violent_f.html#comment-1647805">comment from kishkeI know, I know, kishke. Horrible, horrible, horrible. That director should be horsewhipped and run out of Hollywood -- as should many.
Amy Alkon
at May 11, 2009 8:33 AM
Dont forget about the producers who sighned off on it and the writers who participated in script changees
lujlp at May 11, 2009 8:50 AM
On the other hand, Rene Russo was an absolutely inspired choice for Get Shorty. Just wow.
kishke at May 11, 2009 9:20 AM
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