The «inconceivable» talent of William Goldman (remembering William Goldman 1931-2018)

«It’s an accepted fact that all writers are crazy; even the normal ones are weird.» – William Goldman

On Friday November 16, we lost the great William Goldman, one of the best and most talented screenwriters Hollywood has ever had. Today, I wanted to remember Goldman’s «inconceivable» talent in the best way I know, by writing this post.

Films are the ensemble of many pieces but, without a good script, the puzzle wouldn’t even exist. In this post I will be honouring three marvellous screenplays, written by Goldman that gave birth to three great films and gifted the world with some of the most memorable stories and phrases in cinema’s history.

Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid 1969

I’ve already wrote about this film in my post about Paul Newman a couple of years ago (it’s been more than two year ago!!!!! time flies…) but this time I am going to highlight the script behind it. And I have to say, in my humble opinion, it is one of the most important screenplays in cinema’s history. Why do I think this? Inspired by true events Goldman brought us an unforgettable film with two of the best well-known and beloved main characters of the big screen.

Paul Newman as Butch Cassidy and Robert Redford as the Sundance Kid (1969)

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid represent a pair of «heroes» that share the same fate. The bond that Paul Newman and Robert Redford shared co-starring in this film made them almost brothers. The connection they both had with the characters has also made the general public connect Paul Newman to Butch and Robert Redford to Sundance (even I find it difficult to separate them from the roles they play in this film). The impact of Goldman’s screenplay made Robert Redford create the Sundance festival to honour his character in the film. Whatsmore, Goldman won an Oscar for this screenplay that rocketed him to fame.

Goldman accepting his Oscar for best adapted screenplay  All the President’s Men (1977)

All the President’s Men 1976

In this case, Goldman adapted All the President’s Men book into an Oscar winning screenplay. Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, the two Washingtonpost journalists that investigated the Watergate scandal, published the chronicles of this investigation in 1974. The rights for the adaptation to the big screen were bought by Robert Redford as soon as the book was published. Robert Redford immediately asked Goldman to adapt the book into a screenplay. Goldman did a wonderful job managing to keep the audience on the edge till the final scene, eventhough the Watergate case had just happened and had been on the news for years right before the film came out. The film is almost contemporary to the Watergate case, indeed they had to end it with related teletype headlines announcing Nixon’s resignation as it occured on August 9 1975, around a year after the book was published, and Goldman decided to cover the event in its screenplay with this original final scene. Goldman also incorporated the catch phrase «follow the money» in its script as it didin’t appear in the book.

The Princess Bride 1987

In 1973 Goldman wrote a book called The princess bride an amazing and adventorus story he then brought to the bigscreen in 1987 (every writers dream!). Goldman created a fantastic world with characters that instantly found a place in all of our hearts.  Goldman was also an expert in creating phrases that will live forever and are timelessly memorable. The Princess bride is full of them, I’m sure all of you can finish this phrase with me: «Hello. My name is Iñigo Montoya….»

The princess bride is a film that captivates and is enjoyed by everyone, Goldman shared with the world a story full of adventures, romance, humor and revenge a combination that has worked so well that 30 years later people still know its quotes by heart. I could go on and talk about the magnificence behind this script forever. Do you allow me to tell you a little bit more about it?

Goldman had the marvellous idea of a framing story where a grandfather narrates the main story to his grandson that interrupts it every know and then.

Goldman managed to create a wonderful world with well-known landscapes like the cliffs of insanety, or the fire swamp; unforgettable moments like the battle of witts (screenplay of the scene in the picture) or the sword fight and characters that we’ve all heard of like Buttercup, Westley and Iñigo Montoya.  Oh and how can we forget the…. ok, ok, as you wish…. Maybe you’re right, it’s better if you go and rewatch The princess bride . And if you have never seen it go and watch it ASAP!

 

 

 

I think the secret behind Goldman’s screenplays and stories, is that he managed to make the audience connect with the characters and the narratives within a couple of minutes. William Goldman’s stories will always be remebered and his legacy will live on forever.

 

 

 

References:

Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid (1969)

All the President’s Men (1976)

The Princess Bride (1987)

Remembering Paul Newman (Paul Newman’s week)

https://giphy.com/

Remembering Paul Newman (Paul Newman’s week)

I know it’s been a while since I last uploaded a new entry but I’ve been really really busy. So I decided to come back strong! And there’s no better way to do it that by writing this post to commemorate the eight years that we’ve been without Paul Newman. Yes, ladies, I’m sorry to tell you that we’ve been mourning him for 8 years now.

Paul Newman «is and will always be the most handsome man to ever be alive.» This is  the phrase that I always say when they ask me about him. Maybe I sound like my grandmother but who cares, I mean LOOK AT HIM!

 

But this entry won’t only talk about how handsome and perfect he was but about how loved he was, his beautiful story with Joanne Woodward and the amazing acting carreer and films he did throughout his lifetime.

Paul Newman was born in January 1925 and died from lung cancer in September, 26, 2008.  He served in the USA Navy during World War II, enrolled as pilot he was dropped when his colorblindness was discovered. He studied arts, drama and economics. He started his acting career in Broadway and made his film debut with The Silver Chalice (1954). His career is so extense that it’s extremely difficult to choose which ones should I talk about.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

This Hollywood classical represented the first film in which Newman was critically acclaimed. Co-starring with Elisabeth Taylor, an already consolidated Hollywood figure he managed to find a place in the industry. Newman nails his role of a man who drinks away the pain trying to fix his life, marriage and recapture his glory.  It gain him his first oscar nomination for leading role.

THE HUSTLER (1961)

With this film Newman gained international recognition as an actor. The young pool player «Fast Eddie» that he portrayed in this film served him to prove that he was more than a handsome guy with a beautiful smile. The Hustler was a major critical success, he was nominated once again to an Oscar but did not win until 1986 with the «sequel» of the film The Color of Money. 

The Color of Money (1986)

I ususally try to do filmographies in chronological order but since The Hustler and  The Color of Money are related and I’ve alredy let the cat out of the bag about Newman’s Oscar why not introduce this film now? Martin Scorsese directed The Color of Money and reprised «Fast Eddie». The film begins more than 25 years after the events of The Hustler. It is now Newman’s job to introduce to hustling pool and shape up a young promise, Tom Cruise. After more than 30 years of being a critically acclaimed actor Newman finally won his Oscar for this role.

Going back to his personal life I would like to address now his love story with Joanne Woodward. Newman and Woodward met in 1953. When they finished filming The Long, Hot Summer Newman decided to divorce Jackie Witte and married Woodward in 1958. They were married for 50 years, until Newman passed away in 2008. When asked how was it possible that he, one of the most attractive men on Earth, had managed to stay faithfull to his wife he answered: «Why go out for a hamburger when you have steak at home?» Newman directed four films starring Woodward, the most important one and highly recommendable is Rachel, Rachel (1968).

Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward

In 1978 his son Scott died from an overdose at the age of 28. The death of his son marked him profoundly and so he decided to create Newman’s Own, a line of food products in which all proceeds where destinded to charity, specially to help people overcome drug addictions.

We must not forget his long friendship with Robert Redford as it is a key part of his acting carreer.

Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid (1969)

This Western is one of his most memorable films. Newman and Redford co-stared in this film portraying what is probably one of the best well-known partners in Hollywood’s history. The huge influence that this film has had in the film industry is remarkable. The Sundance Festival was founded by Redford in 1983 to honour his character in the film.

Redford, Newman and Melissa Newman in the set of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

 

Later on, they both partnered once again in The Sting (1983) one of my all time favourites. Its incredible film editing, marvellous sondtrack, amazing screenplay and outstanding performances make this film the perfect combination to become a timeless classic.

 

In the 21st century Newman’s work was understandably reduced. But we must not forget his last movie appearance in 2002 Road to Perdition was the perfect farewell as he  closed his acting carreer with an outstanding performance and his 10th and last Oscar nom.

Newman will forever be in our minds and memories as one of the classic icons of Hollywood Golden Era. We will remember him for his outstanding performances,and, of course, his outside and  inner beauty.

 

REFERENCES:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Newman

http://giphy.com/

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