Mary Ann
When you read a book, do you ever cast the movie as you meet each of the characters? I do, all the time. Often, I cast Kate Winslet as a strong, independent women in a period piece, or I see Jennifer Lawrence portraying a complex, troubled, young woman. It makes the book come alive for me! However, the movie comes out, and the casting directors have picked totally different people. How dare they?
This was very evident when I read one of my favorite books, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. The book is a story of Count Alexander Rostov, a Russian aristocrat that loses everything during the Russian revolution. He is exiled to live in a luxury hotel, the Metropol, for the rest of his life. Imagine trying to make a life in a box after having the best of everything? You join the Count as he makes a life, finds purpose and love, and befriends the people who are the lifeblood of the Metropol. The Count meets life challenges with humor and kindness – a lesson for us all.
In 2024, Showtime and Paramount+ produced an eight-episode series of the book. In my mind’s eye, I pictured Jude Law as the Count. However, when the series was made, Ewan McGregor was chosen. McGregor doesn’t just play the Count; he is the Count! The production absolutely makes the book come alive.
I was so totally wrong on my choice. That is why I am not a casting director. I will continue pretending I am, however. It is fun!
Both the book and the series are wonderful – favorites!! You can’t put the book down, and now you can binge the entire series instead of waiting with bated breath for the next episode each week.
Amor Towles is a gifted writer. You might enjoy reading The Lincoln Highway, another of his best-sellers that is a tale of a youthful adventure in the 1950s. I currently am reading his Tablet for Two, a collection of short stories. Rules of Civility is on the horizon for me – I am excited for a future read. I look forward to continued Towles’ masterpieces!
Silver Sage Sisters 