one book, one movie

My French Whore by Gene Wilder.

I saw this man whose movies I love (Young Frankenstein and Silver Streak are my favorites) on a talk show last week pushing his novel, so when I saw it on the "new books" shelf at the library I was delighted. It is a short, bittersweet love story (192 pages) that reads quickly and simply.

The plot involves an American soldier captured by the Germans in WWI who pretends to be a famous spy, and as Wilder himself would do with dash, aplomb, and a few close calls, succeeds for a short time to fool his captors. During that time he becomes acquainted with a local whore and a caring relationship develops. This isn't a war novel, and it isn't a romance or a comedy, but it is all of these at once. Fans of Wilder will not be disappointed; this is a character he would carry off with style, but don't expect to find the great American novel here. It is sweet and charming and touching, and that is enough. I enjoyed it.

John Q (2002)
Like Wilder's novel above, your reaction to this movie might depend on your level of fandom (is that a word?) toward the star, in this case Denzel Washington. I like him, so I liked the movie, but if I wasn't a fan, I'm not sure how positive my reaction would have been. The premise of the movie is good: a father loses his health insurance due to a forced reduction in his work hours just when he learns his young son needs a heart transplant to live. The subject is topical, emotional, and important, but this movie tries to make it thrilling when it should be thought-provoking. There is no doubt who is evil (hospitals and health insurance companies and employers, etc.) and who is good (a man trying to do right by his family, that is, you and me), and I don't have a big problem with that scenario, but because I have experienced some of the issues this father faces, I know the evil is institutional, it is never simple, and people do try to help. I guess the topic, maybe because it is personal, makes me want so much more from this movie than it gives. It pulls at your heartstrings, it builds suspense, but taking an emergency room hostage is hardly a solution to the enormous problems this movie presents. I give the movie a C and Denzel an A.