Dune - A Hero's Journey

 

Denis Villeneuve's Dune is a solidly acted and well-paced adaptation of the 1965 Novel by Frank Herbert

 

Dune Tells the Story of a Hero's Journey - the Man Who Might be the Chosen One

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my Fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its' path. Where the Fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." - Frank Herbert, Dune, 1965

*

Canadian Director Denis Villeneuve's Dune is actually the second time that Frank Herbert's 1965 epic Science Fiction Novel has made it to the Silver Screen. The first time was in 1984 with David Lynch sitting in the Director's chair. There was also an aborted attempt in the 1970s' by French-Chilean Director Alejandro Jodorowsky which produced a script, "the size of a phone book," in Herbert's words.

A bit of background about the Novel before I dive into a review of the movie. Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, Heir to the House Atreides. Paul's family is given control of the planet Dune, or Arrakis, by the Emperor of the Known Universe. The planet is of key strategic importance because it is where Spice is mined, a precious substance that facilitates Interstellar travel, and heightens the intellectual abilities of its' users, among many other uses.

Except this 'gift' of Arrakis is actually meant to lure the Atreides into a trap devised by their rivals, the villainous House Harkonnen. The Emperor is setting the Atreides up for a fall in order to maintain his own influence and power.

So rich in information is Herbert's book that it became used as a teaching aid in Universities for Architecture, Economics, and Political Science courses, among others. Herbert, no intellectual slouch, worked in his lifetime as an Investigative Reporter, Speechwriter and Researcher for a United States Senator, as well as a Ghostwriter before he went on to become an Author in his own right. He was also an Environmentalist who was decades ahead of his time in the measures he advocated.

Denis Villeneuve's Dune does several things right at once, which makes it a very good movie, though not without flaws. His choice of cast, selection of settings, and the amount of attention to detail in every frame make this a cut above most movie-going fare out there today. There is a lot of mood and atmosphere here, with the colours being an earthy palette of greens and browns on Arrakis, contrasting with shades of black and oily brown when the Harkonnens appear onscreen.

It is Dune's pacing, also evident in Blade Runner 2049, which makes this film stand out. The measured pace allows for details both large and small from the Novel to make it to the Silver Screen. Timothée Chalamet is an inspired choice to play Paul Atreides. Especially when we get to see him shirtless. He's a sexy and smart Hero for our time.

However, this is only Part One of the story. If Villeneuve's adaptation has a weakness, it appears in the last third of the film. This part felt to me like it was dragging on before reaching an ending. That said, I certainly hope Dune gets the Box Office revenue it needs in order for Part Two to be made. This is a solidly told story. 

I want to see how it ends.

*

Sky Gilbert's New Novel 'I, Gloria Grahame' and The Little Show at Chez BonBon

This past weekend on Sunday, October 24th, I was fortunate to attend the book launch for Canadian Theatre legend Sky Gilbert's novel I, Gloria Grahame. The Novel tells the story of shy, effeminate Professor Denton Moulton. In his head Moulton is really the long dead Movie Star Gloria Grahame. I am looking forward to reading my copy, as I'm sure it's filled with Sky's sharp observational humour. 

Also on the 24th was a performance of The Little Show, a Theatre Show featuring Keith Cole, Shaun McComb and Veronica Hurnik, with Stewart Borden on Piano. The show was very funny - particularly a sketch dealing with buying stuff off of Amazon to ease the emotional pain of a breakup. The piece went from Sad to Funny and back again. Everyone involved in the production did fantastic work.

For me, it was the first time I have attended a Book Launch and Theatre Show since the Covid-19 Pandemic began. Both events were well worth it. Judging from The Little Show, Sky Gilbert has some keen insights about the slightly absurd effects this Pandemic is having on modern society.