Next - Another Philip K. Dick Story Turned Movie
April 16, 2007
Philip K Dick is maybe the most significant Sci-Fi author in the second half of last century. His stories of often center around varying perceptions of reality. This may be due to drugs, mental illness, or a science fiction plot device. Examples of modern films that are heavily influenced by Dick would include: Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Stranger Than Fiction, etc.
Additionally, there are a number of films directly based off of Dick’s work: Blade Runner (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep), Total Recall (We Can Remember It for You Wholesale), A Scanner Darkly (same title), Paycheck (same title), Minority Report (same title), etc. Most of these movies are not very good. Other than Blade Runner, none of them has garnered much critical acclaim. In most cases the director’s stray wildly away from Dick’s core plot points, merely retaining overall themes.
I would expect this new film, Next based off the short story “The Golden Man”, starring Nicolas Cage, Julianne Moore, and Jessica Beal to be similarly forgettable and poor. However, the fact that Dick’s name is attached to it, means I will pay it closer attention and certainly see it as soon as I have a chance. The trailer is certainly interesting. The movie is due out April 27th.
I hope someday Dick’s stories start to become amazing films. In the meantime, I highly recommend reading anything and everything Philip K. Dick wrote. I especially like his short stories, which in turn are often what become films.
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Blade Runners critical acclaim was mixed at best; great movie but Sci-fi stories are rarely the type to gain across the board praise. The cast for The Golden Man just sounds all wrong to me…I can’t picture anyone in any of the roles. Too bad, it’s a great short story. A Scanner Darkly was my favourite movie of 2006; also one of my favourite Philip K. Dick novels so far. The adaptation to movie is pretty much spot on perfect. It’s not a long book so they didn’t have to cut much out to keep the movie a reasonable length which probably helps.
I think “The Man in the High Castle” would make a great movie (as would most of his work). But what a great alternative history exploration. In the hands of a master, it would be a compelling vision—and would have considerable vitality in a world where an Al Gore won the votes but George Bush won the White House.
Next was OK. My 15 year old son loved it. He is the audience.