MovieChat Forums > Wise Blood (1980) Discussion > Read the novel a week ago, saw the movie...

Read the novel a week ago, saw the movie tonight...

posted 13 years ago by HarveyManfredinStJohn
5 replies | jump to latest

...and I gotta say, of all people to play Hazel Motes, Brad Dourif?!?

I don't have a problem with Dourif as an actor, but having just read her book, I can say without ill sentiment that he was not even on the radar for me. I kinda got a Malcolm McDowell/Alain Delon vibe off O'Connor's Wise Blood.

Anyone else who read the book felt the same after watching the movie?

Welles, Huston, Kubrick, Lynch and Coen

[–] tylerrabbit 13 years ago

There was a good amount of time between when I read the book and saw the film, but I though Douriff's weird intense tenacity was perfect.

[–] chuckaluck1402 12 years ago

I thought Johnny Depp would be a good choice for the role, but Brad Dourif does a great job in this movie.

[–] BaiNst 8 years ago

A 15 year old Depp in the role? Sure would have been interesting... :-p

[–] amd8404 10 years ago

Dourif did a good job, though I think Hazel could have been a bit more menacing.

I doubt the European actors you mentioned could have portrayed a Tennessee native as well as Dourif, who grew up in West Virginia and South Carolina.

[–] shepardjessica-1 10 years ago

I loved the book AND the film and thought Dourif was terrific.