Forrest Gump Writer on High Noon: Staging Springsteen Songs
Okay, here’s a breakdown of the key information and themes from the provided text:
Main Subject: Eric Roth, a triumphant but often-rewritten screenwriter.
Key Points & Themes:
* The Pain of Rewrites: Roth acknowledges that being rewritten is part of the job, but it’s still emotionally difficult. He describes it as “bruising.”
* Robert Redford & The Horse Whisperer: A particularly painful experience involved working with Robert Redford. Roth details Redford’s slow mornings and lack of focused work time, suggesting Redford wasn’t “brave” enough with the film. He felt ultimately unwanted and was replaced while giving a speech.
* Success & Failure: Roth is candid about experiencing both critical acclaim (including Oscar nominations) and failures (like receiving Razzies).
* Rewriting Others: Roth has also done a notable amount of uncredited rewriting for other prominent directors (Ridley Scott, Denis Villeneuve, etc.).
* Director Personalities: The text offers insights into the working styles of several directors:
* Michael Mann: Described as a “tough cookie” who gets frustrated when his creativity is blocked and is hard on his crews.
* David Fincher: Obsessive and demanding, but Roth is willing to work with him indefinitely. Fincher’s perfectionism (illustrated by the 40 takes of an actor walking) is seen as a positive trait that makes him a better director.
* Self-Doubt: Roth experiences moments of self-doubt, even while being recognized professionally (“You fucking fraud” after being fired).
* Current Work: the text mentions Roth’s work on Killers of the Flower Moon (with De Niro and DiCaprio).
Overall Tone: The piece is honest and revealing. Roth comes across as a seasoned professional who is both successful and vulnerable, willing to discuss the less glamorous aspects of his career. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the collaborative (and sometimes fraught) process of filmmaking.