MovieChat Forums > P.S. Your Cat Is Dead! (2002) Discussion > why this movie didn't work for me

why this movie didn't work for me

posted 17 years ago by smoothsagetx
3 replies | jump to latest

I loved this book. I mean really appreciated and adored this book. This book was a discovery for me. When I found out it was being made into a movie, sure I had reservations but I was open. The movie made Jimmy Zoole out to be a prigg. What was with the puppets, Jimmy's heart was in his job. The theme of the book was a man who worked his entire life at something he loved but never received any acclaim. That was the heart breaker. Working at something for most of his adult life and never receiving his due. Then pooring himself into writing a book and having it senslessly destroyed. This theme would have made the movie more enjoyable. It would have made his trip over the edge of reason more believable. So for everyone who seen the movie please just read the book.

[–] J. Spurlin 17 years ago

I haven't read the novel, but I thought the movie did convey the idea that Jimmy had spent twenty years at something he loved, wrote a book that he deeply cared about and was devastated when it was destroyed.

Maybe the theme is stronger in Kirkwood's book; but it's still there in the movie.

... Justin

[–] tienkou 16 years ago

Didn't read the book either, I find that the book and the movie hardly ever stay true to each other so whats the point of comparing. I did get the sense of the importance of the book in the first 30 minutes and then forgot about it as the comedy started up again. I don't Jimmy was a "Prick" I think he needed Lithium. All in all; never hearing of the book I had nothing to compare it to and found it a decent B comedy

[–] bigdaddy4444 12 years ago

I agree. The book is one of my favorites and I have re-read it many times. James Kirkwood was a tremendous talent at character development. The film just didn't completely capture Jimmy's "dark-clouds-following-me" experience as did the book. I think it's one of those stories that doesn't translate well beyond print. The story has to be read to be truly and intimately appreciated.