Legally Blonde from film to stage

Saw Legally Blonde last night at the 5th Avenue Theater ins Seattle. I enjoyed it, although I was little distracted as I watched humorous scenes from the movie turned into big, flashy show tunes. It was a little like watching a movie made from one of your favorite books. You're extremely conscious of the adaptation.

But it was fun and I'd recommend it — especially if you're a fan of musicals and Legally Blonde.

This is the second time this season that a musical was adapted from a movie — the other being Catch Me if You Can. Not one I would have ever even thought to adapt into a musical, but it worked.

Be a Little Creative

As much as I liked both of those movies and musicals, I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed by the lack of creativity out there. It's bad enough to watch all the sequels at the movie theater. But now we get to watch remakes at the theater?

As writers we need to show them how it's done. Grab your pen, pencil or keyboard and knock out those novels, musicals and scripts. Lets show them how to be creative.

I definitely don't want to see Avatar the Musical.

The Informant - Was it Just me?

Have you seen The Informant?

Was it just me, or was there something a little "off" with that movie? Both my husband and I left the theater feeling less than enthusiastic about the flick and wondering why.

Gotta find the answer

Not knowing what's wrong with a movie is like having a itch I can't scratch. There's no relief until I can figure out what the problem is. I get panicky, thinking, "What if I can't pinpoint it? I'll make the same mistake myself!"

Luckily, I have a husband who puts up with my obsessive nature. Over lunch at The Kettle (home of the biggest and best breakfasts ever) we hash it out.

The issue with the Informant we decided was that we never really got into the character. We never knew his true motivations and why he's doing what he was doing. Was he (a) greedy, (b) screwed up or (c) both?

Not knowing "why" the guy acted how he did, I'm left wondering, "What's the point of the movie? I should have waited for Netflix. Dang, and I spent a mint for that popcorn with extra butter."

The fix

Chris and I decided it would have been better if it had been more Catch Me If You Can, where we understood the young guy's motivations were based in something good and we rooted for him even though he was doing some pretty illegal stuff.

Or more like Fargo, where the Bill Macy character is doing illegal stuff and although we're not rooting for him, we completely understand his motivations and are riveted as we watch the story unfold.

Lesson Learned

I feel much better having my answer. From this point forward I must craft my stories so that the audience can relate to my character(s) motivations. If not, the audience will leave unsatisfied.

They will also probably want me to refund them for the popcorn.