MovieChat Forums > Up at the Villa (2000) Discussion > this movie is exceptional since it added...

this movie is exceptional since it added material to the original novel

posted 14 years ago by georgioskarpouzas
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I just want to comment on the fact that while most movies which adapt books cut material from them in order to be able to fit the plot in the brief time-span of a movie, this one has added surplus characters-such as the fascist functionary-as well as a whole political subplot related with the rise of the Fascist Party in Italy, elements which are totally inexistent and not even slightly hinted at in the original novella by Somerset Maugham, which I have read recently. In that respect the movie is an exception since instead of economizing with the original material on the contrary it created additional characters and themes.

[–] maenad-3 12 years ago

Excellent point, goergioskarpouzas. I wonder why this was done. Perhaps the screenplay writers felt that there was not enough material in the novella for a full-length film. The character of Leopardi is important to the plot. And the appearance of the Fascisti in their uniforms added a menace to the atmosphere, a hint of the end of the happy, lazy sunny days in beautiful Firenze, which the spoiled, rich, bored British toffs have been exploiting shamelessly. Did it enhance the viewing experience? Good question.