MovieChat Forums > Bella Martha (2002) Discussion > Mostly Martha remake actors

Mostly Martha remake actors

posted 18 years ago by mghood
5 replies | jump to latest

Usually when a foreign film is remade in Hollywood it relocates the film, not just geographically but also culturally. For instance, in "Insomnia" the action was relocated from Norway to Alaska, and in "City of Angels" the trapeze artist was changed to a doctor. So let's think about the remaining blanks to be filled in when "Bella Martha" is remade. The best cuisine is in New York, so that's where the restaurant has to be set. Catherine Zeta-Jones is already an ideal choice for the cool master chef, especially if she uses a stiff English accent (no Welsh, please!) The sloppy assistant cook would be better played by a black man. Who better than Will Smith? The restaurant's manager could be a stern Whoopi Goldberg, a self-made black woman, trying to deny her poor roots. The architect downstairs... make him a person miming cartoon characters, and Robin Williams would be perfect for the role. (See Mrs. Doubtfire!) Change all the characters' names. Martha is too dull for America... how about Sally? Call the film "Saucy Sally" for a double-entendre. And there you have it! The comedy masterpiece of the year, and so far removed from the original that its fans won't even know they have to complain about it.

[–] nando1301-1 18 years ago

How very American of you. Saucy Sally? Comedy masterpiece? Get a grip, please. Mostly Martha has aspects of comedy and romance but it is essentially a serious, moving film, not another dumb romantic comedy. The remake is only going to make it worse, mark my words. Catherine Zeta Jones is essentially too Hollywoody, a way too pretty typical leading girl sort of actress for Martha. We need someone good, who can really become Martha in all her aspects. Say, for example, Helen Hunt or Meryll Streep. Mostly Martha isn't a happy go lucky Hitch or Bridget Jones or whatever. It goes beyond that, and the remake should reflect this. Of course, I know this won't happen and the film will eventually become just as you said, a useless, easliy forgotten tale of bad jokes and revolving around the romance (which is important, yes, but not the main plot of the entire film). That's the sad thing about remakes -- they rarely 'taste' as good as the original.

[–] mghood 18 years ago

My post was meant as sarcasm from beginning to end. I like the original just as it is. Unfortunately, I do expect the American remake to be a comedy.

[–] sm44 18 years ago

I got that about your post right away. It was kind of hard to miss, I think.

[–] chinaskee 18 years ago

The only American actress who could do justice to this role if it was remade in Hollywood would be Meryl Streep.

[–] cpg-2 16 years ago

I have just watched this delightful movie for about the 8th time. The idea of Cathrine Z Jones even approaching this is vomitrocious. She consistently spoils e v e r y t h i n g. Ew. Ew. Ew.

Mostly Martha is perfect as it is.