MovieChat Forums > The Stone Angel (2008) Discussion > I just went to the World Premier

I just went to the World Premier

posted 17 years ago by peas-n-carrots
15 replies | jump to latest

I just got back from the world premier screening of The Stone Angel at the Toronto International Film Festival. Tickets were sold out so my friend and I stood in the rush line and were almost the last people to be let into the theatre (we got there about 1 hour before the movie started).

I didn't know beforehand that this was the actual world premier, so when the stars of the movie walked in and sat in the reserved seats I was so surprised and excited - the $20 ticket was definitely worth it .

I read the book in high school English class and loved it, so I was very curious to see how it would be translated on screen. The casting of Ellen Burstyn was amazing. She was perfect as Hagar. Newcomer Christine Horne was very good, and after seeing her young Hagar I feel that red hair suits Hagar's personality just as well as raven black. I really liked Dylan Thomas as her elder son Marvin, and Kevin Zegers did a fine job as well. Cole Hauser was not as burly and rugged as I would've wanted Bram to be, and he was much more charming than in the book. There was much more of a love story between Hagar and Bram in the movie than the lust in the book.

The movie was a straight interpretation of the book, and didn't deviate too much from the main plotlines. One thing I felt that was lacking was Hager's voice. I really felt that without such a distinct voice to hold the movie together, it was missing some "magic". Things like the confessions she makes about Bram and herself or the panic she feels during her journey are missed because we never hear what she's thinking in her mind. There were minimal voiceovers in the movie.

One major difference is that the character Murry F. Lees is changed to Leo, a young man who gives Hagar some marijuana. I believe that Murray F. Lees is one of the most important characters in the book and I was a little disappointed to have him replaced with some kid.

After the movie there was a Q & A session with writer/director Kari Skogland, Ellen Burstyn, Christine Horne, Kevin Zegers, Aaron Ashmore, Luke Kirby, Sheila Mccarthy and one of the child actors.

This was my first ever experience at any film festival and I completely enjoyed it. I have a couple more years to go at the big city and I'm looking forward to attend many more TIFF movies.

They're eating her... and then they're going to eat me... OH MY GAAAAAAHHHHHHH!

[–] jj_j22 17 years ago

woow!! cool!!! and ellen page??

[–] dont_mugyourself 17 years ago

I may be wrong but I think Ellen Page was the child actor peasncarrots_001 was referring to. I saw her at the Tracey Fragments last night and she is TINY! lol.

[–] peas-n-carrots 17 years ago

lol, dont_mugyourself. Unfortunately Ellen Page and Cole Hauser did not attend the screening. The little girl was about 11 or 12 and had long blonde hair. I think she might have played the youngest Hagar. Ellen Page is tiny but not that tiny is she in Toronto, dont_mugyourself?

They're eating her... and then they're going to eat me... OH MY GAAAAAAHHHHHHH!

[–] dont_mugyourself 17 years ago

Yes, she was in Toronto. As far as I know she attended the two screenings of Juno (great movie by the way) and the premiere of the Tracey Fragments. I figured she'd be at the Stone Angel since Tracey Fragments played at 9:45 at the same theatre... but I guess not. We got to meet her afterwards. She was really cool, but I swear she was only like 5 feet tall...

[–] NurseJulie 17 years ago

I can't wait to see it!!

[–] jj_j22 17 years ago

aaaa ok and ellen page role is a big role or not?? she play kevin zegers couple??

[–] peas-n-carrots 17 years ago

Ellen Page has about 10-15 minutes of screen time. She plays the girlfriend of Hagar's younger son John (Kevin Zegers). It's an important part though.

They're eating her... and then they're going to eat me... OH MY GAAAAAAHHHHHHH!

[–] jj_j22 17 years ago

cool!!! thank you ! do you know when is going to be release the move the date??? and a trailer??

[–] vsaito-1 17 years ago

The child actor you mentioned is probably the director Kari Skogland's daughter who played the young Lottie. She was fantastic & only 10 yr's old while making the movie. It is a wonderful movie & I can only hope that Canadian audiences embrace it when it it get's it's theatrical release. It's not often that a ledgendary Canadian Book is so respected & translated into an amazing film. "Bravo Kari Skogland for writing the screenplay & directing with such sensitivity!!!!!" Well worth the ticket price.... see it when it comes out.... you will not be dissapointed!!!!!!

[–] JackWhiteRulz 17 years ago

how does it end!

does she say "and then..."

[–] vkrenz 16 years ago

Also at the TIFF opening, you forgot that Auntie Doll was also there on the stage. Auntie Doll was played by Winnipeg's Joyce Krenz. Joyce has had a lot of theatre experience and has done TV work as well. Joyce has appeared just recently with Anna Paquin in her movie called "Blue State" and has won a coveted Manitoba Blizzard award for her role in the CTV "Milgaard" movie. She is currently appearing in a year long engagement in Toronto with the Canadian Premiere cast of "Dirty Dancing". She is playing Mrs. Schumacher in the musical.

[–] Bean-24 16 years ago

thanks so much for liking the movie - your comment about the voice is taken to heart - I too miss her inner voice - the thought was that it might become too "much" in the way - but, it is something we had many discussions about. I hope everyone else will enjoy the movie as well - we are looking to do some sneak previews around the country in Canada in the coming weeks so, anyone who wants to present their school, book club or a charity event that might work around a screening, we'd be interested. I'll keep looking at this board for comments and use it as a forum to discuss the movie

Kari Skogland filmmaker

[–] larry-411 16 years ago

Thanks so much for stopping by, Kari! I've been covering the film extensively for Kevin Zegers "unofficial" site http://www.cpps90.com/, providing news for his fans from the moment we found out he'd been cast. We may even have spoken on the phone.

Kevin had 3 films In Toronto and it killed me that I was able to attend the other two but not yours because I had to leave that day. I am hoping there will be more screenings and/or a release date here in the US and am very much looking forward to news.

Larry Richman
Chief Media Officer
PROnetworks.org
http://www.pro-networks.org/Media.php
http://blogs.pro-networks.org/phileysmiley/
http://www.myspace.com/larry_411
http://internationalpress.com/ (ID# 06178)

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The world moves for love. It kneels before it in awe.

[–] butzi 16 years ago

Ms Skogland

I just saw the movie in Winnipeg. Since I consider The Stone Angel my favourite novel, needless to say, I've been looking forward to seeing this movie for a long time. I thought Ellen Burstyn did a tremendous job in bringing Hagar to life. The scenes in the "present" were outstanding. I would have liked to see more of those, particularly at Shadow point and in the hospital, and fewer snippets of her early life.

I wonder why you de-emphasized Hagar's inability to show love or express her feelings. In the book, for example, she never shows Bram that she enjoys sex. Her character would never have gone to Marvin and hugged him before he went to boot camp. I feel that this was a huge part of her character, and is in essence her tragic flaw, part of her "stoneness" if you will. Without that aspect of her character, there is not, in my opinion, much of a redemption at the end.

Just some quick thoughts. Congratulations on a successful adaptation.

Waldy Ens

[–] 16 years ago

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