A young man is brutally murdered. A grieving mother sees the killer around town. The father decides to take revenge. This simple plot line worked its way to the silver screen by way of Andre Dubus’ “Killings.” Although slightly altered, the story became the critically acclaimed film In the Bedroom. The characters themselves have remained the same, as well as the events that drive the story. The changes were made simply to create sympathy on the basis of emotions of the characters.
Throughout the movie, many of the same exact lines that Dubus created can be found. In order for the movie to be two hours, the writers chose to make Frank, the murdered young man, a more three-dimensional character. The movie is not a flashback and does not begin with a funeral. This allows for more anticipation at the end of the film. The only change in character is the Mary Ann’s name. Mary Ann is a very young name whereas Natalie, her name in the movie seems less juvenile.
Other than those few changes the characters remain the same but it is their interactions that they enhance. In the story, Matt and Ruth are a loving couple with three children. In the movie, however, once their only son, Frank, dies, their relationship crumbles. After the funeral, the two are no longer able to communicate with each other.
Their relationship deteriorates at the same time they begin to blame each other for their son’s death. In the film, they both have more realistic human emotions than those that Dubus gives them in his story. All in all, these changes strongly justify Matt’s actions at the end of the movie. Another change that causes further sympathy for the Fowler’s is the fact that Richard might not be charged with the shooting.
The Term Paper on Movies: The Changing Society In The 1920's
The 1920s was an important time period in American history due to the significant transformation of the film industry that further influenced the economy and the society. Both silent and sound movies were largely produced during the time that not only made the entertainment more popular but also created a new trend in the society. With such big influences, the economy in the United States also ...
He might possibly receive bail and nothing more because there was no witness to the murder. The overwhelming possibility that Richard will get away with Frank’s murder is just unbearable for the two grieving parents. Something had to be done. Frank’s memory is intensified. The ladder he used to climb in the yard, catching lobster, poker games with his father and his friends, and other memories seem to encompass the couple.
In turn, Richard is made less significant. No history is given on Richard. The only mention of it is with his trophy that he gives to his son. There is no girlfriend in Richard’s life and it is difficult to picture him having a future.
It is his former girlfriend that also receives much of the blame from Frank’s mother. Ruth views Natalie as the root of all of the problems. She is the reason that her son his dead. She also believes her husband to be infatuated with her and that he was trying to live vicariously through Frank which further deepens the mis communication between the couple. Matt knows that the problem must be handled. Although he handles most of the details with Willis, his friend, the end decision to shoot Richard is solely his.
There were no woods and the planned murder was not planned so soon. Matt covers his tracks better than he does in the story. He wears the same items and behaves in the same manner that Dubus wrote him, but he leaves behind a ticket. The end result is nearly the same.
Ruth is overjoyed by Matt’s decision. However, instead of simply smiling, she jumps out of bed and makes her husband a big breakfast. The film relies more on emotions, those of the characters and the viewers, than the story does. The basis for the film is the same. It is simply more “Hollywood-ized” than Dubus’s tory “Killings.” The enhancement of characters provides a more emotional roller-coaster but is still able to get Andre Dubus’ point across.
