When I’m reading a book I always picture it as a movie. I then fantasize about who would star in said movie, how my favourite scenes would take place… Then, if the book does get the movie treatment I complain about how the book was so much better, etc. etc. Sigh.
But, that being said, I thought I would share our list of potential stars for a The Financial of the Poets movie, namely for the character of Matt Prior. Because if anyone is going to make this awesome book into a movie, we trust these five gentlemen to play the main character perfectly:
Top 5 Actors That Would Make the Perfect Matt Prior
* images courtesy of IMDb
1) John Cusack – He has that average guy look to him, but is also so charming, the perfect Matt Prior. Plus, to quote Carolyn, “Can’t you just see Matt Prior holding up a ghetto blaster in an effort to win back his wife?”
2) Mark Ruffalo — I just watched Mark Ruffalo in The Kids Are Alright, and he just embraced that kind-of-pathetic guy role so well. If you’ve seen the movie and remember his phone call at the end, you know what I mean.
3) Matthew Broderick – This is my pick because I feel like Matt Prior is a Ferris Bueller all grown up. He’s quirky and funny and wants to embrace his dreams (just like Ferris), but somehow just got a bit lost along the way.
4) John Krasinski (aka. Jim from The Office) – Another Hollywood star who looks like he could be your friend, just a normal guy. Admit it, that signature Jim shrug would totally come in handy when asked, “Poetfolio – what were you thinking?” He just has that ‘Who, me? In trouble? look to him, which I picture on Matt Prior.
5) Paul Rudd – He’s so awkward yet hilarious and charming! Paul Rudd is Brad’s pick, and he’s definitely one of my favourites for Matt.
Honorable mentions: Kevin Spacey (He played desperate dad very well in American Beauty), Robert Downey Jr. (Especially if you have seen him in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) and Jason Bateman, but that’s just because we want to see more Michael Bluth.
What do you think? Who would you pick to play Matt Prior?
– Shannon
Well now that our movie is one step closer to casting it’s lead actor (my vote is for Paul Rudd), it needs a title! The obvious choice would be to keep the original title intact. It is in fact on of the best book titles EVER!! But that’s no fun, no fun at all. Therefore I have taken it upon myself to come up with the top 5 Alternative Titles for The Financial Lives Movie!
Now this was no easy task. There were some important questions to ask myself. Do I keep the title general and eye catching, or do I make vague allusions to the books plot and themes? In the end I feel I did a little bit of both. Would Jess Walter approve of my creative re-titling? I’m going to go ahead and imagine he does, us being close friends and all.
So without further ado, my Top 5 Alternative Titles:
TOP 5 ALTERNATIVE TITLES FOR THE FINANCIAL LIVES OF THE POETS MOVIE
- 7/11: A love story – 7/11 plays an important role in this book, not only is it the setting for the fateful meeting that gets the story rolling, but it was also an inspiration behind the creation of the book as a whole.
- PoetFolio: A Tragicomedy in Blank Verse – Matt’s failed Financial Journalism/Poetry site was called PoetFolio. The world just wasn’t ready Matt.
- Grace Over The Pot – In our Haiku war, Jess said this could have been the title of his book, so it seems fitting as a possible movie title. Also, it sounds like it could be the name of an Oscar winning indie film. Fingers Crossed!
- Tree Fort of Horrors – Matt promises year after year to complete a tree fort for his kids. It becomes a symbol of his failed role as a father.
- The Devil’s Floss – One of Matt’s poems about Moms in a Costco parking lot mentions “a think strap of fabric, yes, the Devil’s floss, I shit you not, a thong, I swear to God, a thong.” It was probably the most emotionally arresting scene for me. Haunting imagery.
So, how did I do? What would you call the movie? Share your ideas/criticism in the comments section below!
– Brad
