I'd Be First In Line

"The Blithdale Romance," is a 19th Century novel that could have been written in the recent past. It is thoroughly enjoyable and alive. I would be first in line to see a movie made of this story.

A director would have lots of possibilities for settings in London and its environs. The scenes at the farm would be very interesting for me since I find the idea of communal living to be an intriguing one, although the book doesn't really stress that aspect of the story. I wish that Hawthorne had spent more time describing the physical nature of Blithedale.

As with all novels turned into movies, a director, or, more probably, a screenwriter, would need to choose the two or maybe three themes to be presented. One wouldn't want to strain the minds of the viewers too much.

My cast would include:

Hollingsworth: Liam Neeson (can appear older as in "Shindler's List")

Coverdale: Kevin Spacey (always the outsider)

Zenobia: Kirstie Alley (I'm not a fan, but her physical presence fills the bill)

Priscilla: Kristen Scott Thomas (a little old for the part, but she can do anything)