The Sheltering Sky

A detailed Summary of The Sheltering Sky

After reading the novel, The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles, it was difficult to imagine how one could transform the novel into a satisfying film. How could one imitate such descriptive settings and emotions without the advantage of Paul Bowles' wording? Also the novel does not have the plot of a typical movie, even an action or love story, and the ending is not conclusive. Could actors today play the deep and complex characters as they are portrayed in the book? These were some of the complications I considered when deciding how I would produce the movie.

To start to picture the film, I began to think of the actors I would choose to portray the main characters of the movie. I pictured Kit as a rather frail, pretty, blonde character perhaps played by Gwyneth Paltrow. Port should be played by an actor who can generate a sense of strength and independence as shown by the character in the book. He should be a masculine individual, but definitely have a quiet, introspective side. I would like to see Harrison Ford or a similar actor play this part. Tunner should be portrayed with the right mix of good looks and charm combined with a devious underlying air which causes one to que

Another important plot line that Bertolucci gave insignificant time to was the Lyles' story. These characters are greatly defined in the novel and lend an important plot twist. In the film, the story is not expanded enough and causes one to question why the Lyles are even included in the movie. Those who only watch the film do not gain a full sense of why Bowles included them in the novel.

I would also concentrate on the relationship between Kit and Belqassim and her dependence on him caused by Port's death. Kit's runaway adventure to desert will be tied in emotionally to Port's death and her sudden change when she leaves Belqassim. Belqassim will be portrayed as a harsh, wild man who has a sensitive side when it comes to Kit. These scenes will be shot as to portray a sense of mysterious doom, yet soften perhaps the lights and music to show a sense of comfort when Belqassim and Kit are together.

I believe that with the combination of the fore-mentioned aspects and actors, the novel, The Sheltering Sky, can be turned into a satisfying film. Though it does not have the plot of a typical film or a conclusive ending, the book's raw emotion and plot twists can definitely keep a film viewer's interest.

Many book and film critics have claimed that there is no way to transform the novel, The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles, into a satisfying movie. They were proven wrong when in 1990, Bernardo Bertolucci turned the 1949 novel into a film. After first reading the novel and developing a clear picture of it inside, watching Bertolucci's film forced me to look at the story and characters in a different light.

I think central to the plot should be the

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Approximate Word count = 1126
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English