I saw the film version of Clockers when it came out in the mid 90s. I remember liking it, but the details are a bit fuzzy in my mind. I was inspired to pick up the novel version, written by Richard Price, of it after reading Nick Hornby’s rave about it. And sure enough it proved to be a compelling read. Price is excellent with the telling details about being a cop and a clocker that gives the novel an air of authority. His understanding of the drug game, his depiction of the day to day work of urban cops with their questionable behavior, and spot on dialogue pulls the reader deeper into the action, because it is a mystery and thriller at it's heart. However, it is the impressive recreation of the lawless urban hell that the inner cites became during the crack epidemic that captured my attention and admiration. His depiction of the main characters are completely flawed and true to life: Rocco, the frazzled homicide detective, looking for something keep him going, Strike, the clear thinking dealer with an ulcer, and the larger than life Rodney the charismatic neighborhood ghetto drug kingpin. I read that Price is a former drug addict and longtime New York resident so that he knows of what he speaks of. He has written a couple of novels since Clockers, so I may have to check those out sometime as well. I’d like to see Spike Lee's film version again to see how he portrayed the story.
You know why the details are fuzzy about the movie? You watched it with me, and we both agreed it sucked.
Posted by: Eric | June 21, 2005 at 11:20 AM
So you reckon I'm supressing a traumatic experience? I don't think I've seen a Spike Lee movie that I've liked since Malcolm X, and I wanted to like 25th Hour, but ol' Spike is so heavy handed that it came out uneven.
Posted by: MC | June 21, 2005 at 02:54 PM
It wasn't just that the film was uneven. He had no idea what to include from the novel, or why he would include it. I felt the same way about Mystic River. It was as if the screenwriter said, "I must include an event from every chapter." That's no way to adapt a novel.
P.S. The Aviator is much better than people said it was. It isn't great, but it's good.
Posted by: Eric | July 02, 2005 at 04:28 AM