Largey about Stardust

[dangermousie]

I have been very bad about replying to flister posts lately, my apologies. I do read every single post on my flist that is not a comm post. *note to self. be better about replying*

Anyway, we went to see two movies this weekend: The Simpsons Movie and Stardust. I loved both. Though if I never see another set of trailers as bad as the ones before TSM, I'll be a happy woman. People are annoyed at Tom Cruise for being a crazy scientologist, but my beef with him is his movie Jerry McGuire giving prominence to Cuba Gooding Jr., thus leading to movies like Daddy Day Camp.

The Simpsons Movie was hilarious. I don't remember last time I laughed so hard in the theater. And I've seen about three Simpsons eps total, in my life. And now, Spiderpig song is stuck in my head...

Stardust was simply lovely. It was a fairy tale for grown-ups, something that is very rare in Hollywood, though there are a number of lovely Russian movies in this genre. It was scary and funny and moving and colorful. Also, great cast and casting. Much as all the side characters were amazing and attention-grabbing, the two protagonists, Tristan the shopboy on a quest (Charlie Cox) and Yvaine the falling star (Claire Danes), never got lost in the shuffle. Also, (because it's me and I am bound to be shallow at regular intervals) Charlie Cox is hot once he learns to swashbuckle.



The story is about a 19th century English young man, Tristan, who crosses into the faerie realm of Stormhold, to bring back a fallen star in order to win the heart of the girl he is infatuated with. But when he finds her, the fallen star is actually a beautiful, lost (and snarky) young woman named Yvaine. And a number of unsavory individuals are after her, including a witch who wants to eat her still beating heart to restore her youth and a murderous royal family who want to settle the right of succession.

The whole thing is, on some level, like one of those Grimm fairytales. The original versions, with toes being cut off and eyes plucked out by pidgeons, not the Disneyfied versions. The faerie realm of Stormhold really is a wondrous place: a place full of wonders, some of which you might even survive.



Tristan and Yvaine:













I love this shot so much. They are like something of a Gothic tale:



Pre-hottified Tristan and Yvaine:



Tristan and Prince Septimus:



Pretty village:



Pre-hottified Tristan being slavish to Victoria:



Yvaine:





Captain Shakespeare, the swashbuckling flying pirate:



The dying King of Stormhold:



Lamia, the evil witch (Michelle Pfeiffer) seeking Yvaine in order to devour her heart:









Tristan with spoiled Victoria:





I found the duality of manifestation really interesting. What I mean by that is the fact that objects exist in both places, but manifest differently in both. I am not even talking just metaphorically, with Tristan being a shopboy in England, but a swashbuckling (eventually) prince in Stormhold. It's more physical than that. In our world, a fallen star is a bunch of stardust. In theirs, it's a beautiful woman. That lightning Tristan had in a jar would probably manifest as something else in our world. And I don't think witches would have any power.

And I liked that Victoria, the girl Tristan was infatuated with, wasn't evil. Just shallow and silly. At the end, she wanted him anyway because he was all adventury and manly and hot, even though he was without the star. But of course, by then he didn't want her. Which is as it should be.

Oh, and Yvaine/Tristan was very romantic, wasn't it? Last time I saw that many scenes of people accidentally falling on each other and staring breathlessly was in a drama.

Oh, and another awesome thing: the Chinese period martial arts drama Men and Legends, starring Peter Ho and Dylan Kuo (as calledinvain pointed out correctly, the Asian Heath Ledger and Orlando Bloom) is coming subbed to DVD on Aug 31. Yay.

Comments

[winterspel.livejournal.com]

Have you read Gaiman's graphic novel of Stardust? If not, you should - Charles Vess's artwork is gorgeous. I'm really looking forward to seeing the film, so I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it.

[katranna.livejournal.com]

:-) Yay, you liked! In the book Victorian was even less shallow and silly (though she also appeared that way at first), and it was actually Tristran who was shallow and silly for chasing after her when she didn't want him. But that would have needed too much screentime.

I think the duality between magic/nonmagic a bit less than you suggested. I think it only applies when it threatens all laws of physics. It's inconceivable that a star is a girl on our world, and everyone thinks of stars as rocks, so yeah, Yvaine would become a rock if she came over. But lightning exists, so I think it would keep. And the Babylon candle worked when Tristran lit it in his attic. I think witches may not have much power, but some of their spells may keep... I forget, I think this was mentioned in the book, because in the book the fair that everyone was going to was the one opportunity for the Faerie folk to trade with Wall folk (obv not in the movie). But anyway, I think the idea was that spells *could* keep, because otherwise the faerie folk's merchandise would have been useless.

[janlake83.livejournal.com]

yeay for MEN AND LEGENDS being subbed... i might get that myself....

and i love the graphic novel of STARDUST by Neil Gailman, he did sandman series.... and i can't wait to see this movie, i haven't had time to see it yet... but the graphic novel is awesome, i love how tristan transforms and i really love that it is a romance/fantasy fairy tale but for grown ups...

and yes is it just me SPIDERPIG is the song stuck on anyones head after watching the movie????

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

Stardust was written to be read as an old school fairy tale or ballad, as opposed to a modern reinterpretation of fairy tales. A lot of the press made it sound like yet another "fractured fairy tale," and, while I like those, it's not what Stardust should be. Fortunately, from all the feedback I've heard now that it's out, that was just the press and it keeps the feel of the original.

I was also worried because I heard they changed Victoria's character. It sounds like they did a fair bit, but kept her nice instead of making her petty or mean(in the book, she sets him off on the quest because she can't make herself break his heart by telling him she's in love with someone else, and figures requiring the impossible to win her will discourage him, never thinking he'll actually do it. When he comes back, she's willing to keep her word even though she loves the other guy. Fortunately for her, he already had his "Property of Yvaine" tattoo and everyone got to be happy.)

BTW, if you decide to read it, be sure you get the graphic novel and not the text only version-the text only version is literally just the text from the GN, which is meant to be accompanied by pictures.

And Michelle Pfieffer looks perfect as Lamia(sometimes those inhumanly blue eyes of her can make all the difference.)

I did not know Men and Legends was getting a US release. It's very good to know.

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

Charles Vess draws some of the most beautiful stuff there is, yet his work isn't "pretty." It amazes me...especially in his Book of Ballads.

[catdecember.livejournal.com]

Stardust i first read in book format about 10 years ago, then i chanced upon the graphic novel version which is beautiful! i also saw the movie last saturday, and i loved it.

many many moons ago

[calledinvain.livejournal.com]

I remembered reading an interview with Neil where he said that one of the inspirations for Stardust was a bet between himself and Diana Wynne Jones to write a story based around a John Donne poem - "Song". DWJ came up with Howl's Moving Castle, and Stardust was Neil's.

I've been putting off Stardust for a while, because I did love the graphic novel so (and am saving away pennies to get the deluxe hardbound version of the graphic novel) and because....well, I have an irrational dislike of Claire Danes. Ahem. But I've been hearing so many good things about Stardust: the Movie, so I think I'll go and see it today.

Re: many many moons ago

[calixa.livejournal.com]

I remembered reading an interview with Neil where he said that one of the inspirations for Stardust was a bet between himself and Diana Wynne Jones to write a story based around a John Donne poem - "Song". DWJ came up with Howl's Moving Castle, and Stardust was Neil's.

Really? That's awesome.

[elvensapphire.livejournal.com]

Stardust was just beautiful and perfect. I absolutely loved it.

And you're right about Charlie Cox. He's a cutie. :D

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Every time I see your icon, I get happy.

Re: many many moons ago

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

That is absolutely awesome. I loved the movie so I'd rec it, but I haven't read the book so...

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yay! So glad!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I did not know Men and Legends was getting a US release. It's very good to know.

I am very excited about this. Dylan Kuo is the only Taiwanese actor who came close to topping my Vic Zhou fixation. And I adore Peter Ho.

I am going to buy this and Sword Stained with Royal Blood at the same time...

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

and yes is it just me SPIDERPIG is the song stuck on anyones head after watching the movie????

Not just you. I went with mr. mousie and my cousin and all three of us were singing it for the rest of the evening.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Good points. (an I read your review and liked it). Btw, when is a good time to call you?

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I haven't but I really want to now...

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

I know little about Men and Legends except that clixa is liking it and so far we have 98% the same opinion on every wuxia we've both watched, and often on dramas in general.

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

*will now do long put off Charles Vess picspam*

[elvensapphire.livejournal.com]

OMG you are using a Remington Steele icon. Squee. I love that show so much. Laura is one of my favorite fictional heroines. The show ran on TV before I was born, but my mom was a devoted fan and she introduced me to it. That makes me happy. :D

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

I have many Steele icons. RS is pretty much my favorite TV show ever.

[elvensapphire.livejournal.com]

I re-read DH this weekend and all the R/H moments never fail to bring me joy.

By the way, this is so weird, but the actor who played Septimus in Stardust - how perfect would he have been as Snape? I mean, I adore Alan Rickman as an actor and he's one of the best parts of the films, but the actor playing Septimus more fit my mental image of Severus somehow.

Also, I love cute British boys. I want one for my very own.

[elvensapphire.livejournal.com]

I would consider it mine, too.

[vierran45.livejournal.com]

I love Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess's Stardust and so looking forward to seeing the movie! I've read the text-only version as well (the text is slightly longer than in the graphic novel), but it's just not the same without Charles Vess's wonderful illustrations.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I agree re: Snape. Didn't think so before but noe that you mentioned it, he'd be perfect.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I really want to read this now.

[kittykatz.livejournal.com]

Oh wow I really want to watch Stardust now.

[autumnflame.livejournal.com]

Ahem. OT, but: Yay, Fables!

[vierran45.livejournal.com]

LOL, fairy tale adaptations are not at all OT :). I love Fables and it's one of my favourite comics ever for it's excellent storytelling, beautiful art and wonderful twists. With Fables, you can never guess what is coming on before it finally hits you :).

Just look at the gorgeous artwork and beautiful icon (not made by me) for one of the most heart-breaking stories ever...

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

It was so fun!

[ladysaotome.livejournal.com]

You make me want to watch Stardust more than I already did. (although, maybe it's just the pics but Claire Danes doesn't seem to have aged well. Evil witch was much prettier.)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I liked CD in the movie but I never could find pale, blonde women very appealing so neither of them is my type :)

[partypaprika.livejournal.com]

I just read the book, and I'm planning on the seeing the movie when I get back in the States because the book was really good! I skipped over most of the pictures and your comment, because I don't want to spoil the movie. Although I read the book...so I wonder what logic my brain is operating by. But it's encouraging that you liked it! So I'm really excited about it!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Have fun watching!