The Words

The Words

Have you ever done something against your better judgment? I have just finished viewing many wonderful international films at the Toronto Film Festival. Why would I go to see a second rate American film that opened a week ago? This week was the first time I can remember that no new film opened on the Friday. Get ready for a burst of openers of the finest films from the festival. The season has now started.

This film does have flaws but I was intrigued with the basic premise. It held me captivated. A young man is passionately in love with his wife. He just cannot make it as a writer. He has written one good novel but the publisher cannot take it on because the economic situation wouldn’t allow it.  During his honeymoon in Paris he discovers an old briefcase in an antique shop. His loving wife purchases it for him. When he returns he finds a secret pocket with an even more fascinating secret. Inside is a manuscript. He becomes riveted while reading the script. The original writer had written about his love affair as an American soldier meeting his French wife while in Paris. It occupies his mind totally and he can think of nothing else. He copies the script word for word and submits it for publication. What a turnaround in his life. He becomes famous. He has finally won approval from his doubting father. He becomes the ‘talk of the town’. He is invited to readings and to talk shows. He even wins a prestigious prize. I loved all of the above moments.

Lurking in the background is an old man. Who is he? We soon learn that he was the original author of the book, The Words. The two men have a confrontation. We begin to learn his real story. It was actually very touching. The script had been lost on a train ride. The wife was coming back to Paris to patch up their break up. She was bringing the script with her. The loss of the script causes further problems in the marriage.

Bradley Cooper plays the role of the desperate young writer. Jeremy Irons plays the role of the old man who was  the original author. The story gets convoluted and mushy at times. The basic concept makes for good discussion. In the past many books have been plagiarized. Should the original writer get credit? In this case Cooper’s character does offer to right the wrong and to pay the Irons character for the injustice. I didn’t find it too believable that he doesn’t accept. If someone has written something that is acclaimed as fine literature I can’t imagine allowing someone else to claim the rewards. (financial and otherwise) One could have a good discussion on the idea of walking away from his deserved reward.

There are several minor sub plots but the main theme is what kept my interest. It wasn’t so bad after all.