MovieChat Forums > The World According to Garp (1982) Discussion > remake

remake

posted 20 years ago by penguined
19 replies | jump to latest

There's many things wrong with this movie, but one of the most obvious is Robin Williams as T.S. Garp. While I'm not saying he did a bad job, anyone who has read the book will tell you he's not Garp. I got to thinking the other day if I could make the movie now and who would I cast. I came up with the perfect choice: Jason Lee. If he got in shape he would be the perfect Garp. Thoughts anyone?
"There are a million fine girls in the world, but they don't all bring you lasagna at work."

[–] grumpy_otter 20 years ago

Wow. I couldn't disagree more. As bad as the movie was, I felt Williams was perfect--along with the rest of the cast. Despite how awful the movie was, I felt the cast were great. But you certainly have an interesting suggestion with Jason Lee!

[–] dtr19 20 years ago

I think Robin Williams was perfect. Garp was pretty boisterous, and he was a wrestler, which Williams was. Also, I don't think Jason Lee would be a good Garp, even in shape. He's too relaxed, Garp was always worrying, always thinking. Ryan Reynolds I think would be a good Garp though. He already has the physique, and has a similar personality already.

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] grumpy_otter 20 years ago

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but when casting actors you like to go more by appearance than by acting ability and flexibility. This is a mistake with such a complex and amazing character as Garp. I have not seen the movie, but I have read the book, and I actually picture Robin Williams doing a great job. Of course, with his experience as Mrs. Doubtfire he now could play Roberta, right? - just kidding!"

ROFL! That would be an interesting casting suggestion for a remake! You might want to see it just to see how wonderfully Juhn Lithgow brings Roberta to life--imo, anyway. Just don't expect too much--not a great film--they lose a lot of the magic of the book, especially with Ellen's story. But I think a faithful filming of that book would take about 20 hours on screen, so I guess it's okay. But ugh! What they did with Garp's short story was criminal!

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] fcabanski 19 years ago

Intellectual snobbery aside, the movie is excellent. No movie can capture a novel fully, because there's just too much. But as a movie viersion of the story, it's excellent.

[–] lilsummit 19 years ago

i thought robin williams did a AMAZING job as garp and i think that jason lee is to comedic to play garp cause garp is a very layered person sure there is a layer of fun but there are more serious deeper layers.

[–] ArizonaKnightWolf 19 years ago

While Williams did a fantastic job with what is essentially a poor script, I have always though the Bill Murry would have made an excellent Garp.

***********
The Doctor: I wonder...
Leela: What?
The Doctor: Shh. I'm wondering.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] bobbo-30 19 years ago

And that's officially the dumbest thing I've read today.

Garp was not mentally challenged, or slow, or tall. Tom Hanks could do a hell of a job with this role, but FORREST GUMP is NOT GARP.

Robin Williams actually is really very good in this role, and I agree with the poster who said it may've been the best role he's done.

And I've got to address the Bill Murray question: when he was of the correct age to play Garp, he would've been much too over-the-top (read WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM and MEATBALLS, maybe even STRIPES) to pull it off with the right subtlety.

In the present day, the only current actor of note I would cast in the lead would have to be Toby Maguire.

'Nuff said.

[–] redsox141978 18 years ago

this is certainly the best acting job of Williams.

he usually plays queers, wackos and wino's.

he actually can say he did an actual serious role,

while parts of his normal character came out too.

who is jason lee, anyway?

in terms of robin williams comparisons,

"You sir, are no Jack Kennedy!!!!!!!!"...

LOL

[–] DesperadoGirrl-1 18 years ago

this is certainly the best acting job of Williams.

he usually plays queers, wackos and wino's.

he actually can say he did an actual serious role,

while parts of his normal character came out too.

Really, you think this is the best acting job he ever did?

I thought that one of his best dramatic roles, while still having some of his natural wackiness was in "Dead Poet's Society".

[–] nfxstudios 18 years ago

Funny you should mention Tobey Maguire, since he's played a John Irving character before in Cider House Rules.

Having seen that for the first time the other day, and Garp being one of my favorite movies, it was interesting to see parallels in characterization between the two.

I need to hit up the used book store and pick up a few of Irving's novels and check them out.

[–] Cooke_Fann 17 years ago

gary coleman should be garp

[–] pjh0704 18 years ago

Loved the movie, hated the book.

[–] DesperadoGirrl-1 18 years ago

In the present day, the only current actor of note I would cast in the lead would have to be Toby Maguire

I dont know if i would put Maguire in the role of Garp, but I must admit that, although I didnt really care for the way the movie was adapted from the book, Maguire did an EXCELLENT job as "Homer Wells" in The Cider House Rules, another of my favorite John Irving novels

[–] BABYFACE104 18 years ago

I know what you mean. I haven't seen the movie yet but I'm sure Robin Williams did a good job. The thing is, when I read the book he's not what I pictured as Garp. I think Ed Harris would be a good Garp.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] citronlmb 17 years ago

I just finished the book, and have not seen the movie yet, but i think that Robin Williams could be nearly perfect for Garp.
Casting suggestions for a remake:

Garp: Peter Krause or Steve Carell
Helen: the wife from "Brotherhood"
Ellen: Danielle Panabaker
grown-up Duncan: James Franco
Roberta: Morris Chestnut
Jenny: Kate Capshaw