I've had a few conversations with people who didn't read the book and also hated Laurie, it wasn't at all surprising to me that the director has no idea how to flesh out a *omg* real female character - he's from the school of thought whereby if a woman can fight, that's feminism, baby.
Re: Thank you!ixat_totepMarch 28 2009, 20:07:11 UTC
Actually, the really annoying thing is that this came up on the comixscholars mailing list because someone had gone from Laurie's portrayal in the movie to a whole "Alan Moore doesn't write good women characters" thread. And while The Killing Joke remains a blot on that record, it was really more an exercise in "a lot of people fail to read Alan Moore properly" than anything else. Like all the people who just took the grim and gritty aspects and ignored everything he was trying to say with it.
I just started reading Watchmen this morning (I'd read about 3/4 of it 6 or 7 years ago, but in small bits, while distracted, etc and forgot most of it). So I basically saw the movie without having read the book.
In the movie, I think Laurie could have been a better character simply by being cast better. While the lead males all did an excellent job with their parts, her acting was very uneven. Some scenes I really felt like I was watching the character, but in others it seemed like she was reading the script for the first time. I think a better actress could have taken the same lines, etc and done a lot more with them.
Jury's still out on whether or not I like Laurie or find her interesting in the book.
I agree with you. Ms. Ackerman was a bit lost in some of her scenes, although others were fine. She (and the rest of them) weren't always given much to work with. Lines that are great printed in a comic don't always sound so good spoken aloud. But some of the others handled that better.
I have to admit that while I certainly never hated Laurie in the book, this article gave me a new appreciation for her character. Every time I go back to Watchmen there's more to it. The sad thing is that so many people will see the movie and not understand that.
:-) I'm not sure how much better of a character you'll be able to find in the movie version of her. And I just can't get over the blasted latex outfit. Not good for jumping into burning buildings. Heck, not good for running around in at all- it's latex, it doesn't breathe! Besides, *SILK* Specter. eh, whatever. There were pretty flashing lights in the movie :-)
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In the movie, I think Laurie could have been a better character simply by being cast better. While the lead males all did an excellent job with their parts, her acting was very uneven. Some scenes I really felt like I was watching the character, but in others it seemed like she was reading the script for the first time. I think a better actress could have taken the same lines, etc and done a lot more with them.
Jury's still out on whether or not I like Laurie or find her interesting in the book.
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I have to admit that while I certainly never hated Laurie in the book, this article gave me a new appreciation for her character. Every time I go back to Watchmen there's more to it. The sad thing is that so many people will see the movie and not understand that.
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