Why do they remake good movies?
February 29, 2012 Leave a comment
Richard Attenborough in Brighton Rock |
Last night I watched the movie Brighton Rock, not the 1947 original movie staring Richard Attenborough, but the 2010 remake. I enjoyed it, but it still forced me to ask, “why do they always remake good movies?” It’s seems rather counter-intuitive to me. A director has made a film and its been a success, rave reviews, good ticket sales, and perhaps, over time, like the original Brighton Rock, it becomes a classic. So why would another director want to remake it, since they’d be fortunate to better the original?
The obvious answers are:
- because, like a Shakespeare play, it’s a classic and everyone one wants to give the topic their spin. But, that doesn’t really apply – there aren’t lots of remakes of Casablanca!
- because its an easy way to make money – the original has high name recognition, a warm glow, making it easier to raise production money; fill the remake with a great cast and you have an easy recipe for success.
Sadly, I think it’s the second argument. But, I still wonder why directors don’t prefer to remake a bad movie; after all, the previous director screwed up and they know they can do better. Therefore why not remake the bad movie into something better? Sadly again I think argument (2) comes into play – the original stunk so production money can’t be raised.
Sam Riley in Brighton Rock |
If you’ve not seen the original Brighton Rock, based on Graham Greene’s novel, then see the new one. It’s very good – a great noir environment set in seedy Brighton. I read the book at school and enjoyed it, but was much too immature to understand its dark themes. The movie does an excellent job and has a quality British cast: Helen Mirren, John Hurt, Andy Serkis (aka Gollum & King Kong), and Sam Riley, who is as good as he was in the excellent Control. If you loved the original movie, then watch the remake as well – you’ll be irritated by scenes from the original constantly popping in to mind, but may enjoy how the modern version is able to deal with its dark themes in a stronger manner. Both movies have an excellent ending – one of the best in cinema (IMHO).
from The Universal Machine http://universal-machine.blogspot.com/2012/03/why-do-they-remake-good-movies.html