There is nothing new in filmmakers seeking inspiration in the pages of magazines, but increasingly today's glossy spreads are becoming tomorrow's movies.
According to Nancy West, an associate English professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, the trend actually originated with Hollywood crime films from 1920 to 1960. Tabloid journalism was plundered and, although considered trashy, gave us classics such as "The Public Enemy" and "Scarface".
In other genres, such diverse movies as "On the Waterfront", "Dog Day Afternoon", "Saturday Night Fever", "Top Gun", and "The Fast and the Furious" all originated on the newsstand.
Of course, there's always the danger that Hollywood will exploit a story for its more sensational elements. When producers approached New Yorker staff writer (and "Adaptation." subject) Susan Orlean to acquire the rights to her article "Surf Girls of Maui" - now filmed as "Blue Crush" - she was well aware that, in the wrong hands, it could become a salacious Baywatch-style T&A-fest.
"The potential was there for somebody just to have it be a bunch of girls in bikinis for the sake of having girls in bikinis. That's just the nature of pop culture; a lot of stuff gets dumbed down," Orlean says. "But talking to the producers, I knew that their intent was to make a movie that celebrated girls becoming strong and independent."
Alarm bells ring when you read that Imagine Entertainment, the Ron Howard/Brian Grazer-owned company behind "Blue Crush", has secured the rights to 48 years of Playboy articles.
But before you think Hollywood's Mr Clean has suddenly gone all Channel 5, it's worth noting that Hugh Hefner's stroke mag has resulted in more than calluses over the years. It has, in fact, spawned films such as "The Hustler", "All the President's Men", "The Fly", "Fast Times at Ridgemont High", several entries in the James Bond series, and, er, "9 1/2 Weeks".
Orlean knows that when you make a deal with Hollywood, there's no way of knowing whether the result will remain true to the filmmaker's original intentions. But, she says, "My attitude is, if someone options the material and I feel that they intelligently want to try and make something good out of it, great. I don't expect, nor do I wish for, any kind of control once the option has been arranged."
As for her own experience, she reflects: "I've been the lucky beneficiary of some really great things. I'm very proud of "Blue Crush", which could have gone many different ways and been far less admirable. Also, "Adaptation.", in my opinion, is a really brilliant, original film that really grapples with the issue of adaptation. I can't imagine a writer who's had a better run. I feel very lucky and it makes me feel very open to the next experience."
UPCOMING MOVIES BASED ON ARTICLES...
Name of Film: "Biker Boyz"
As Seen in: A New Times Los Angeles article by Michael Gougis
Who's in it: Laurence Fishburne, Derek Luke, Orlando Jones, Djimon Hounsou
What it's About: Southern California African-American motorcycle gangs, led by rubber-burning leader Manuel Galloway (Fishburne), who's defending his drag-racing title in Fresno.
When it's Out: June 2003
Name of Film: "Shattered Glass"
As Seen in: The Vanity Fair article by Buzz Bissinger
Who's in it: Hayden Christensen (aka Darth Vader), ChloΓ« Sevigny, Melanie Lynskey, Steve Zahn
What it's About: Young journalist Stephen Glass used to make up huge chunks of his articles for The New Republic, Rolling Stone, and George magazines. This drama recounts his rise and dramatic fall.
When it's Out: 2004
Name of Film: "Radio"
As Seen in: A Sports Illustrated article by Gary Smith
Who's in it: Cuba Gooding Jr, Ed Harris, Debra Winger, Alfre Woodard
What it's About: The real-life relationship between a mentoring high school football coach and a mentally-challenged man (nicknamed Radio), who goes on to become a South Carolina team coach.
When it's Out: 2004
