HOLLYWOOD LOVES EUROPEAN FILMS http://blog.eurocinema.tv/2009/11/16/hollywood-loves-european-films.aspx People (critics, especially) are always saying there are no new ideas coming out of Hollywood. Their making movies from ‘60’s and ‘70’s TV shows, movies based on video game and the endless sequels (SAW VII). But where does Hollywood really look for inspiration it is re-making European movies. Coming soon to a theatre near you are a couple: EVERYBODY’S FINE starring Robert DeNiro this is an Americanized remake of the Guissepe Tornatore’s 1990 film STANO TUTTI BENE with DeNiro in the role originated by Marcello Mastroianni. Film co-stars Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale, and Sam Rockwell. BROTHERS starring Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey MacGuire, is a remake of the 2004 Susan Bier scripted BRODERS (BROTHERS) from Denmark which starred Connie Neilsen, Ulrich Thomsen, and won 13 film awards including an award at Cannes, Sundance, Boston, etc. Very little with the exception of the names has changed in the film. Let’s take a look back at some others: THE ASSOCIATE (1996) with Whoopi Goldberg and Diane Wiest was a remake of L’ASSOCIE (1982) adapted from the novel “El Socio” by Jenaro Prieto. THE BIRDCAGE starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane (1996) remake LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (1978). Based on the stage play of the same name by Jean Poiret and the script written by Francis Veber, Édouard Molinaro, Marcello Danon and Jean Poiret BLAME IT ON RIO which starred Michael Caine and Demi Moore (1983) remake of Claude Berri’s UN MOMENT d’ENGARGEMENT (1977) BREATHLESS (1983) with Richard Gere a remake of (1959) “A BOUT DE SOUFFLE” from the screenplay by Jean-Luc Godard and story by François Truffaut and it starred Jean Paul Belmondo. BUDDY BUDDY (1981) the Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau flick directed by Billy Wilder is a  remake of L’EMMERDEUR (1973) (aka A PAIN IN THE ASS) based on a play and story by Francis Veber GET CARTER (2000) starring Sylvester Stallone and directed by Stephen Kay was a remake of the thriller GET CARTER (1971) directed by Mike Hodges and starring Michael Caine in the Carter role.  The 1971 version was award winning and critically acclaimed, can’t say that about the Stallone version. COUSINS (1989) the Ted Danson, Isabelle Rosselini film is a remake of COUSIN, COUSINE (1975) Written and Directed by Jean-Charles Tachella DIABOLIQUE (1996) the Sharon Stone, Isabelle Adjani movie is a remake of (1954) film which starred Simone Signoret, “LES DIABOLIQUES” by Henri Georges Clouzot and based upon the Novel “Celle qui n’était plus” written by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HILLS (1986) the Nick Nolte, Bette Midler movie is a  remake of the 1932 film BOUDU SAUVE DES EAUX co-written & directed by Jean Renoir and based on the play of the same name by René Fauchois FATHER’S DAY (1997) with Robin Williams and Billy Crystal is a remake of the 1983 French film LES COMPERES with Gerard Depardieu by Francis Veber CITY OF ANGELS (1998) quirky film starring Nicholas Cage and Meg Ryan was a remake of WINGS OF DESIRE (1987) directed by Wim Wenders and starring Bruno Ganz with a cameo appearance by Peter Falk. HAPPY NEW YEAR (1987) with Peter Falk is actually a remake of LA BONNE ANNEE (1973) from Claude Lelouch, who makes an appearance in the ’87 release as “the man on the train”. INTERSECTION (1994) another remake starring Richard Gere and Sharon Stone is a remake of LES CHOSES DE LA VIE (1970) Based on the novel by Paul Guimard.  Screenplay by Paul Guimard, Jean-Loup Dabadie and Claude Sautet JUNGLE 2 JUNGLE (1997) the Tim Allen vehicle from Disney is a remake of UN INDIEN DE LA VIE (1994) (aka LITTLE INDIAN, BIG CITY) written by Hervé Palud, Igor Aptekman and Thierry Lhermitte, Philippe Bruneau THE MAN WITH ONE RED SHOE (1985) and early Tom Hanks film is a remake of LE GRAND BLOND AVEC UNE CHAUSSEURE NOIRE (1972) Based upon the Motion Picture written by Francis Veber and Yves Robert MEN DON’T LEAVE (1990) a Jessica Lange tearjerker is a remake of LA VIE CONTINUE (1981) written and directed by Moshé Mizrahi THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES with Barbra Streisand and Jeff Bridges (1996) remake of LE MIROIR A DEUX FACES (1958)  written by André Cayatte and Gérard Oury directed by André Cayatte THE VANISHING (1993) thriller starring Jeff Bridges and Kiefer Sutherland directed by George Sluizer was a remake of the Dutch film THE VANISHING directed by the same George Sluizer, I guess he did not want to let go of this one. MIXED NUTS (1994) with Steve Martin is a remake of LE PERE NOEL EST UNE ORDURE (1982) original play by Josiane Balasko, Marie-Anne Chazel, Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot, Thierry Lhermitte, Bruno Moynot, Jean-Marie Poiré MY FATHER THE HERO (1994) starred Gerard Depardieu and Katherine Heigl (TV’s GREY’S ANATOMY) remake of MON PERE, CE HEROS (1991) which coincidentally starred Gerard Depardieu written by Gérard Lauzier NINE MONTHS (1995) the Hugh Grant film is a remake of NEUF MOIS (1993) written and directed by Patrick Braoudé POINT OF NO RETURN (aka THE ASSASSIN) (1993) with Bridget Fonda and Gabriel Byrne is a remake of NIKITA (1990) (aka LA FEMME NIKITA) Luc Besson’s film that starred Anne Parillaud. PURE LUCK (1991) the Martin Short, Danny Glover comedy is a remake of LA CHEVRE (1981) with Gerard Depardieu, written by Francis Veber SCENT OF A WOMAN (1992) the Al Pacino film is a remake of PROFUMO DI DONNA (1974) by Ruggero Maccari and Dino Risi that starred Vittorio Gassman, based on the Novel IL RUIO E IL MIELE by Giovanni Arpino THE LADYKILLERS (2004) Coen Brothers (yes even the Coen Brothers do it) movie starring Tom Hanks and Irma P. Hall was in fact a remake  of  THE LADYKILLERS (1955) starring Alec Guiness and Peter Sellers. SOMMERSBY (1993) with Richard Gere (again) and Jodie Foster is a remake of LE RETOUR DE MARTIN GUERRE (1981) with Gerard Depardieu (again) and Nathalie Baye, written by Daniel Vigne and Jean-Claude Carrière SORCERER (1977) the Roy Scheider film is a remake of LE SALAIRE DE LA PEUR (1953) (aka THE WAGES OF FEAR) with Yves Montand, based on the novel “The Wages of Fear” by Georges Arnaud; original film’s co-writer Jerôme Geronimi) THREE FUGITIVES (1989) a Nick Nolte, Martin Short comedy is a remake of LES FUGITIFS (1986) starred Gerard Depardieu (again) French film written by Francis Veber; technically not a remake since Veber wrote and directed both films. THREE MEN AND A BABY with Ted Danson and Tom Selleck and directed by Leonard Nimoy (Dr. Spock) (1987) remake of TROIS HOMMES ET UN COUFFIN (1985) written by Coline Serreau THE TOY (1982) a Richard Pryor, Jackie Gleason comedy is a remake of LE JOUET (1976) French film by Francis Veber TRUE LIES the James Cameron directed action film starring Arnold Schwartzenegger Jamie Lee Curtis (1994) is a remake of LA TOTALE (1991) screenplay by Claude Zidi, Simon Michaël and Didier Kaminka TWELVE MONKEYS the Brad Pitt, Bruce Willis vehicle (1995) is a remake of LA JETEE (1963) a short film written and directed by Chris Marker. THE WOMAN IN RED (1984) directed by Gene Wilder who also stars in the remake of UN ÉLEPHANT, CA TROMPE ÉNORMEMENT (1977) (aka PARDON MON AFFAIRE) which starred Jean Rochefort, written by Jean-Loup Dabadie and Yves Robert. I am sure we missed more than a few, if you have any more please let us know. And we will do a follow-up. . Jim Hague is an author, lecturer, owner of Crystal Digital Images LLC, has no party affiliation and is a moderate. He is the author of ‘Abandoned Son: Roe vs. Wade is overturned.’