News of the World
The Book:
Alright,
I knew nothing of this book when I first picked it up. Turns out it’s a story
about an older gentleman who earns his living in the old West in Texas by
reading news, both local and international (when he can get papers) to towns
for a small sum. Most people can’t read, and this is their only exposure to
what’s going on in the world.
As
he travels, he meets two acquaintances who are transporting a young girl that
had been taken by Indians back to her kinfolk in San Antonio. She was taken as
a small girl and had spent a couple of years with the tribes and is somewhat
feral and doesn’t speak English anymore. They convince the older gentleman to
take charge of her and deliver her to her relatives as he travels south through
Texas.
The
book follows his attempts at learning how to communicate with this young girl
and the various encounters they have on the open road between towns.
I
really enjoyed this one because it was a good story about someone who had
basically lived a solitary life being saddled with a young girl who didn’t want
to return to civilization. They learn to trust one another and develop a kind
of shorthand with one another.
I
hope the movie shows how they come to depend on one another and how difficult
their relationship begins and then evolves.
The Movie:
I
was a bit skeptical when I heard that Tom Hanks was going to be cast as Captain
Kidd because I pictured him as a crusty (but in a good way?) kind of old man.
One who is set in his ways, but has a strong moral compass and duty to do and
be good. Tom Hanks plays such lovable characters, and even though Captain Kidd
is a good man, he’s not what I would consider lovable. He’s had a hard life and
it’s made him hard.
Turns
out, it totally works. I apologize to Tom Hanks.
I
really liked this movie. It has such expansive scenery that it feels isolating
and beautiful at the same time. It feels lawless and hard. Tom Hanks and Helena
Zengel, making her American cinema debut, work so well together. She doesn’t talk
much and still manages to emote with expressions and sullen looks. He plays
Captain Kidd with resolve and a determination to be responsible for this girl
who is suddenly placed in his path. They do change the manner in which he takes
charge of her from the book, but it doesn’t affect the story.
Definitely
go see this movie. Very well done.
The Verdict:
This
is hard. I really liked the book and there are elements that of course the movie
left out. They did drastically change the family of Captain Kidd and the ending
isn’t the same, but the movie did such a great job telling the story. I loved
the story-telling embellishments that were done in the movie that helped to
generate a sense of importance to what Captain Kidd does for each town his
visits and the news he shares. It is an odd job to have, but the way the movie
portrays it gives it meaning and purpose that seems more understandable than
the book.
Can
I say it’s a tie? No, probably not. But it’s close. The movie wins.
