Three part posting for two separate questions:
1) Your well-argued opinion about the characters in Give Us This Day: most likely they are not what you expected. Did it make the film more interesting or a disappointment? Or something else?
2) Choose one scene or a character from the movie that you think would be appropriate for the book Christ.
3)
Reply to the comment immediately before yours: did you notice the
scene/character your classmate mentioned? Do you interpret it the same
way?
QUIZ: I will test GIVE US THIS DAY and CHRIST IN CONCRETE. If you did not take or did not pass the previous quizzes on Christ this is your last chance to show you did the reading and you did it the right way.
1) The characters and the story in "Give us this day" were very different from the book "Christ in concrete" which made me a little disappointed. The film gave a different image of Geremio representing him mostly as a mean person and Annunziata as a loud disrespectful women to her husband which is the complete opposite from the book, the only character that didn’t change was Luigi. Also the film added events that wasn’t in the book like the fact that Geremio cheated on Annunziata with Catherine. There was some quotes from the book but the different representation of the characters and the events made me feel that I was watching a film that is completely different from the book that I read however, I enjoyed the film and I thought that the acting was great.
ReplyDeleteYes, I too felt I was watching something completely different. I actually didn't mind the switch up because I think it kept me more interested. Often, the book I thought was just too dry and if they would of kept the storyline the same, I don't think it would interest people as much. I also noticed Annunziata's character, which like I mentioned, I disliked!
DeleteI think Luigi was the only character who was similar to the original book!
DeleteThe acting was great. The first thing I thought of was how great all the camera angles were. I do not know much about films but this film seemed pretty high tech for the 1950s!
2)The scene that is appropriate with the book is Geremio’s death .The book described exactly how Geremio died by being buried with the concrete and the scene in the film presented his death based on that description very accurately.
ReplyDeleteThis is true, although it wasn't exactly how i pictured Geremio's death, I however think that would be an appropriate scene for the book.
Deletei agree that this movie portrayed how Geremio's death superbly. It was how i pictured it when reading the book, very pleased on how it was represented.
Delete1) I disliked Annunziata’s character immediately. They portrayed her as a whiney and dramatic individual which I didn’t expect. I felt she was a strong woman when spoken about in the book and the film I think ruined that through her actions. I really disliked the scene where you see her jotting down how much more they had to make in order to buy the house. Although this shows her dreams and determination to get her house, I felt it actually made her seem selfish and put unnecessary pressure on Geremio. I actually liked Geremio’s character. I believe his character and actions added to the story line. Of course, they had to create drama and a love triangle because this is what sells in Hollywood.
ReplyDelete2) I think the scene where Annunziata arrives to America works as an appropriate addition to the book. This gives us background and insight of how desperate Geremio was to have Annunziata there but also Annunziat’as expectations of Geremio as a husband (a home of their own). This addition would of added stress to Geremio’s character and could be the reason Annunziata and him lose a sense of communication, especially about “Job”.
ReplyDeleteI always wondered what Annunziata's life before Geremio was like, and that scene helped me alot. I agree with you, that would be an appropriate scene to add to the book.
Delete1) The characters in the film disappointed me greatly. The film on a whole, was also quite disappointing. Annunziata was portrayed as a weak woman and Geremio was portrayed as a controlling man, who cheated on Annunziata. The only character who did not disappoint me was Luigi (even though his acting was dreadful at times). The film surely fell way below my expectation.
ReplyDelete2) A scene that would have been suitable for Christ in Concrete was, the scene which showed the struggles Annunziata and Geremio went through in order to save enough money to get a house. Although that scene slightly contrasts with the book, it would be a great addition to show how hard they worked, and how much they saved and sacrificed in order to be able to afford a house.
ReplyDeleteI agree that although we saw some of that struggle in the book, this scene would tied in perfectly and made more emphasis on the issue at hand. I also agree the way characters were written and the way the story changed turned me off on it quite a bit as well.
DeleteMy feeling when comparing the film "Give Us This Day" to Christ is one where I do not like how the story changed, and the character traits did as well. As someone mentioned above, I also did not like how Annunziata was portrayed as a whiny and loud, just absolutely irritating woman, and totally was a 360 for me as compared to how she was presented to us in the book. Geremio to me was portrayed completely different, as he wasn't as proud of a father, husband and worker in the film. He seemed more along the lines of a controlling man, and not a family man. In the book he was the perfect description of what a family man is,loyal, loving and hard working and in the film they turn him into a coward and a rat, for example him cheating on Annunziata and being controlling, etc.I did not enjoy how the plot changed and how the director changed the characters up. Geremio and Annunziata to me were portrayed more like Americans then they were Italian-Americans in the book. The struggle of marriage, unfaithfulness to the spouse, yelling and arguing and controlling actions are all things we see occur in a typical American marriage at some point. I felt as if the director made them a little to Americanized for my taste. I enjoyed the book much better.
ReplyDeleteThe scene to me that would be best suited to be in Christ would be where we learn about Annunziata. In the book we didn't get much of a background or a history of how she came here, why she came and how her and Geremio met, etc. It would've been nice to know these things while reading the book to me.
I noticed this also. Some of the things in the movie were changed compared to the book. I Also didn't like hoe Annunzaita was in the movie. It didn't go well with how she was portrayed in the book. Something i didn't really notice was how you mentioned that how Annunzaiat came here. I wasn't really focused on that aspect. I would've probably interpretted it in a different way.
DeleteAs the movie was started to go on, i realized that the charachers are different from what i read in the book. Geremio was associated with only Annunziata in the book and not another woman. Annunziata's characher was also different from what i was thinking. I was surprised at how they were in the movie. I didn't expect the characters to be like that.
ReplyDeleteOne scene i thought was appropriate for Christ in Concrete was when Geremio was about to die. When the building started falling. That ft in with what the book described.
So true I thought the same in the beginning of the movie as well. When books are made into films it would also be different from what we were thinking when reading a book.
DeleteI wasn't disappointed with the characters in "Gives us the day" it made me think on how every book that becomes a film it would also be different to make the movie interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe character they should of put in the book was Kathleen to gives us a different view of Geremio. Which would show us how he was living before he wanted that dream and Kathleen didn't think he would make it. Also the scene where Annunziata came from Italy should of been added because that how the life of Geremio and Annunziata started.
I agree with the fact that every movie is somewhat different from the book but I disagree with it not being disappointing. I was very disappointed how the movie turned out compared to the book. I noticed the scene with Annunziata coming from Italy and mentioned it as well. I think it would have been appropriate for the book too. I think if Kathleen was mentioned in the book some people wouldn't feel so bad for Geremio and his relationship with Annunziata because of him cheating on her.
Delete1) The film Give Us This Day was definitely different then what I expected. I thought it was going to be along the same storyline as Christ in Concrete, but it was not. While watching the movie I kept waiting to recognize and connect parts from the book. There were some similar parts that were changed around or in a different order then read in the book. Annunziata was portrayed as a strong woman in Christ, while in the movie she was selfish and weaker. I was shocked to see how Geremio was portrayed as a demanding husband, along with not being loyal to Annunziata and cheating. He didn’t seem as involved with his family as mentioned in the book. As for Luigi and Snoutnose, they were portrayed as what I expected them to be based off the book. The movie didn’t show much of Paul’s character as described throughout the book, which I was hoping to see more of.
ReplyDelete2) A scene that I thought would be appropriate for the book would be how Geremio and Annunziata became a couple. I enjoyed watching how Geremio waited for her when coming off the ship. Along with the house Geremio promised her. There was a connection when Annunziata sprinkling the salt in the corners for good luck. Annunziata kept track of how much money they needed to earn the house back. Geremio worked hard to bring home money and tried to make her happy even though they struggled. I believe this scene showed the connection and love between the characters. It introduces how their relationship started. This scene is not in the book, although you still get a sense of how strong their love was from Annunziata’s perspective in the book.
I agree with the fact that every movie is different from the book. I was very disappointed how the movie turned out compared to the book. I found the film to be rather dull. It is far more interesting reading the book. I also noticed some scenes where Geremio and Annuniziata become a couple. It would be a perfect tie in to the book given how much love is between Geremio and Annunziata.
DeleteQuestion #1
ReplyDeleteThe characters in the film are different from the book. It was kind of disappointing. Not what I had expected while watching it. Everyone involved with the film, changed the film for hollywood reasons. Not only did the characters change, but also the story. For example Annunziata was portrayed as a loud, and absolutely irritating woman, and it was different for me as compared to how she was represented in the book.She was also weak and dramatic.In the film, Geremio cheated on his wife and was portrayed as a controlling man, as someone who did not care for his family as opposed to what his character was in the book which was an accurate representation of a caring, loving family man. Even the dialogue was different with the exception of a few quotes from the book. The writer changed the plot and the story because the film needed to sell and to appeal to a wider audience. I did not really like the film at all. It was kind of boring. I prefer to read the book.
Question #2
The scene that I think would have been suitable for Christ in Concrete was, the scene where Annunziata and Geremio both went through trials and tribulations in order to save enough money to get a house. Although the scene is slightly different from the book, it would be a great addition to the book, to show how hard they worked, and sacrificed in order to be able to afford a house. I think this scene would be a great tie in to the book because in the book, we read how much the family struggles and the hardships they have to do endure being immigrants.
I completely agree I saw this as a hollywood version of the book, I felt as if the movie was aimed at a larger audience which meant changing the story. The film didn't stay true to the book as well as I would have hoped.
Delete1) After watching the film "Give Us This Day", I was definitely shocked how different Geremio was portrayed compared to "Christ In Concrete." The film seems to show the background story of the book, how Gremio started out and his life before the tragic accident that led to his death. In the book we get a sense of Geremio being a family figure who to Annunziata is everything; in the film he is not as family oriented. I found that Paul not being a main character in the film made the story a lot less emotional than the book. Since Paul has nothing to juggle in the film; in fact the movie seemed to focus on what Geremio was willing to do just to fulfill Annunziata's desire for a house, it's missing key points the book has.
ReplyDelete2) The scene of Annunziata saying Geremio finally bought us a house, to me is a key line that would have been a great edition to the book, this wouldn't be effective however, if we didn't see the history of Annunziata and Geremio play out to understand the importance of the house in their relationship.
I agree, that final line definitely should've been added!
Delete1), 2). Since watching the movie "Give Us This Day" and reading the book "Christ In Concrete", i notice the similarity of the death of Geremio. The way it was portrayed in Concrete really layered the pavement for his ultimate demise which led to the critical part of the book and movie. I was ultimately happy about how that scene looked in the movie, i visioned it the same way from when i originally read that scene in the book.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and seeing it in the movie was the same way I visualized his death as well. Just being able to see it in the movie, made it come to life a little more for me and hit me a little harder then it did in the book, It was sadder to see it in the movie then read it in the book.
Delete1.) This movie was definitely different then the book especially in regards to the characters. The characters in the movie were disappointing and were not enjoyable to watch. Annunziata seemed weak and needy in the movie, as if all she cared about the whole time was having a house. Geremio seemed controlling and slightly careless at some points when he would go out drinking often or when he cheated on Annunziata. The only character that seemed similar in the movie as well as the book was Luigi. He was still caring, hardworking and funny. The difference in characters made the film less enjoyable then the book, because the way the characters acted and spoke at some points.
ReplyDeleteThe scene from "Give Us This Day" that seems most similar or most fitting in the book "Christ in Concrete" is when Geremio is killed in the scaffolding accident. After reading it in the book and watching it in the movie, it gives me a better visual and understanding of what it was like as he experienced death. His death is a major part in the movie as well as the book, and gave me a better understanding of why the book is called "Christ in Concrete." Geremio was buried alive under concrete and suffered a great deal for his family and friends throughout his life until his death similar to Christ.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with you! His death was the foundation of this story. It also gave me a better visual understanding but I pictured it different when I was reading the book compared to watching the movie.
Delete1) After watching the movie, “Give us this Day”, I was very disappointed on how the characters were expressed and how the story was told. This movie was nowhere close to the book and most to the little details, such as Geremio’s death, was ignored. His death was an important scene because it was the foundation of the book. Also, Annunziata was my top hated character of this movie. I felt that she wasn’t the way described in a book, where she loved Geremio rather than being annoying and unappreciated.
ReplyDelete2) One scene that was similar to the book was the working conditions on top of the roof. No safety equipment’s, unpleasant cold weather and a lot of physical labor that paid $1.50 an hour.
ReplyDelete1. I found the movie "Give Us This Day" pretty enjoyable, among others we watched. It was different from the book in many ways, but at the same time clarified a few things that I did not understand from the reading. Movies are always different from books, in some cases movies are better. This was one of them. I finally was able to see how it all started, found out more about the characters, maybe in a different way, but it did not make the characters less likable for me. It gave me another perspective of the story. Kathleen, became my favorite character, strong and independent woman. She appeared as a "chocolate candy" that I would eat for desert with some English tea after spaghetti with heavy meat sauce. Every time she appeared on the screen I whispered: "Well hello, Kathleen..." Overall, the movie was more energetic than the book.
ReplyDelete2. The scene when Geremio and Annunziata were in bed and he did not want to talk about the job, was taken exactly from the book. I was finally able to understand why Geremio refused to talk about it. In the book it was not clear enough.
I agree I was able to understand how Geremio felt in the movie. Geremio was under so much stress and did not find the support he needed at the time.
Delete1.After watching "Give us this Day" I was disappointed to see Annunziata character she would stress out Geremio to buy the house. I don't know if this was Geremio punishment for lying about him owning a house that attracted Annunziata into coming to America. Annunziata was so eager to own a house but yet she would have a child every two years.
ReplyDelete2.A scene that would have appropriate in the book is when Annunziata at the end of the movie gets a grant of $1000 and says at least Geremio has bought them a house. Annunziata views Geremio being worth more dead than alive.
I found that odd too, she stresses how she wants to save and eat less in order to afford her dream house, yet she goes on having several children adding more to their expenses.
DeleteHer character is a contradiction.
I remembered that last scene with the grant of $1000 as well. But they way they presented it, made it seem like Annunziata was only married to get a house.
1) I enjoyed this version of Christ In Concrete. I didnt expect the love affair, however it made things more captivating. Seeing Annunziata's selfishness with the house and Geremio's loss of direction made me question why the film maker took this path. I also noticed that it was solely focused on the first chapter and a bit on the second leaving out a large chunk of the book undeveloped. I was extremely disappointed when other characters were using Geremio's lines in the book within this film. It makes you question whether if the director was involved in "Deep Reading" or simply changed the story to avoid plagiarism.
ReplyDelete2) A character which was more appropriate for the book was Luigi. Throughout his development in the movie we get to see how compassionate he is about his sister and her well being. He is constantly giving Geremio a lecture of whats good for her and what not to do. From my perspective he didn't change from what the book interpreted him as. Luigi's character was consistent.
DeleteI noticed the same thing about Luigi! I loved how the film showed him to be a nice guy and truly care about his family. I also agree with the love affair. Did not see it coming, but hey...who doesn''t love a love affair!
ReplyDelete1) This is the reason why I hate watching movies about a book that I read and actually liked. This ruined my idea of the characters for me. Ok, so we had a Brooklyn bricklayer, Geremino, who was struggling to fulfill the America Dream. He was so controlling. At first, I felt bad for Annunziata but than I started to dislike her too. Whining all the time, but then again, she was married to a man who pretty easily cheated on her. I think this film was a disappointed due to the fact that I liked the book, but the quality of the film was great.
2) The best scene that I think would be appropriate for the book Christ is the scene during the Great Depression when the bricklayers decide which worker would be working a half days work. They decide it would be Julio even though he has a family to feed. Right after that Geremino catches one of his coworkers panhandling. His coworkers says "Heaven has forgotten us!". I think this goes perfectly with the whole idea of the book Christ.
I agree that this scene is on-point with the book. It shows their struggle. They had a tough choice to make but they made the choice together, without arguing. This is also one of the few scenes where they actually take direct quotes from the book.
Delete1) This film is a travesty. Not what I expected at all. Sam Wanamaker doesn’t seem like a bad actor, but his portrayal of Geremio was just totally wrong! He didn’t seem like an Italian immigrant and he didn’t look like a bricklayer.
ReplyDeleteLuigi’s character was also a joke. He and Annunziata were the only characters that seemed Italian. But Luigi seemed to be there just for comic relief, and his character was very stereotypical.
Even though I think Padovani’s performance as Annunziata was best, it still doesn’t fit with the book. She’s supposed to be playing a widow. Of course I don’t blame the actors as much as I blame the writers. The plot is nonsense. This movie is more like an American drama/romance than a narrative about a family of Italian immigrants and their struggle. The film does tell a tale of distress and poverty, but not the one from the book.
And Kathleen. Kathleen does not belong! The whole affair between Geremio and Kathleen is what ruined this film for me more than anything else. They should have just stuck to the story in the book.
2) There are only about three scenes that I feel were accurate adaptations of scenes from the book, and the scene where Geremio is buried in concrete is by far the most accurate scene in the film. It happened exactly as it happened in the book, and the actor showed the distress that Geremio felt well. And even though it is an event that happens early in the book, it serves as a good climax in the film.
ReplyDelete1) Usually when turning a book into a movie, things will be changed and/or left out. I actually thought Geremio and Annuziata characters in the movie were more interesting then in the book. Geremio in the book was shown as an outstanding man but in the movie we see how the struggle with dealing with his marriage and making his wife happy and also dealing with not getting much work takes a toll on him which leads to him cheating with Kathleen. Annuziata I would say was the same strong character but in terms of getting her house. It was the same strong feelings to live in a house that pushed Geremio to points we didn't see in the book
ReplyDelete2) One scene that was related to Christ was when Geremio and Annuziata are in bed and she is asking him why they don't talk about his work anymore.
1. I enjoyed the movie (but not as much as the novel) because I found myself more drawn to and entertained by the characters than I had been previously with Christ in Concrete. Although I was sort of disappointed by the new character traits that Geremio and Annunziata were given, I found the resulting narrative to be much more entertaining than the one covered in the book; those two characters in particular helped give me a fresh perspective on the plot.
ReplyDelete2. I agree with some of the comments here - particularly the ones that discuss the desire to see how Annunziata first came to America and how the couple saved money to buy a house. However, I'd like to say that one aspect of the film that I am glad was not translated into the book was Kathleen's character. Her role in the film was really cliche and really served only to paint Geremio in a poor light.
I couldn't agree more about Kathleen's role. It was really this that influenced my negative opinion of Geremio that I mentioned in my comment. Infidelity is the epitome of a poor moral character.
Delete1. I liked the characters in the movie, I thought they did an amazing acting job. It was realistic and influential, I personally did not like Geremio I found him to be "shaggy" in morale. But the actor Sam Wanamaker did a phenomenal job. Although the book left us with an admirable perception of Geremio, and the movie - not so much- his role was an interesting turn. I think it gave the movie a more interesting, believable feel.
ReplyDelete2. I would like to give the character of Annunziata credit, because she slightly resembles what I pictured from the book. I think it was really noble of her to accept Geremio even after he lied to her (as if she would've realistically had another choice) This point alone, is transitory of what I saw to be Annunziatas kind spirit.
I did notice the shift in character of Geremio as well. I liked the turn it gave and I agree it made it more realistic and interesting. Annunziata would seem to stick by Geremio regardless of what struggles they faced in both the book and the film.
Delete1.
ReplyDeleteWhat surprised me most about Give Us This Day was Geremio’s character. The movie gave a kind of prequel to Christ in Concrete but also including things from the book. Geremio’s character can be seen as a blend of characters from the book. When Geremio became the foreman for a dangerous job and the workers questioned him about it, he told them that he could replace them if they did not want to do it. Geremio is acting like Mister Murdin in this scene. I also thought him cheating on his wife could be compared Paul losing his faith. Both characters were under so much strain that they eventually cracked. Geremio is not as righteous in the film as he is in the book but I enjoyed that aspect. I thought it was interesting because it made Geremio seem more human. He is a man who experiences pressure, goes through struggles and makes bad decisions.
2.
One scene in the film that reminded me of a scene in the book was the wedding scene. When Annunziata and Geremio got married and there was a big feast with a lot of drinks. In the movie the men begin to eat spaghetti with their faces. In the book when Luigi and Cola get married they have a party similar to the one shown in the movie. After the men have eaten all night they still ask for spaghetti. In drunken fun, the men decide to eat the spaghetti off the plates with their face. I thought it was appropriate for the film combined this scene to the marriage of Annunziata and Geremio to show how they celebrate.
Yes, I agree with the first comment. Geremio did seem more human and you could see the enormous amount of stress he was under. I found it to be very interesting and I enjoyed to learn from his point of view. To be honest, I do not remember the wedding scene from the novel as vividly as I should. For me, the wedding part of the novel as well as the movie was not the part that stuck out to me the most. It's interesting to me to see what scenes stuck out for certain people.
Delete1. Geremio's character surprised me in the beginning. The first scene of the movie shows him at his worst. I saw him as unfaithful and a drunk. As the movie progressed, I was intrigued to learn more about Geremio's point of view. In the book, Geremio died almost suddenly, and in an instant, Paul's perspective took over. I enjoyed learning about the history behind Annunziata and Geremio and their journey together. Annunziata's movie character gave life to Annunziata in the novel. I found the movie to be incredibly interesting and I'm glad that we were assigned to watch it.
ReplyDelete2. The very end of the movie, Geremio's death, was the one scene that truly reminded me of the novel. Watching him being buried alive was exactly how I pictured it in my mind while I was reading that chapter in the book. It was hard to watch Geremio being buried alive, but I believe that Sam Wanamaker perfectly acted out that scene. From the cries for help to the thoughts racing through his mind, it was great.
1. The movie's portrayal of Geremio was interesting throughout. At the start,his drunken stupor and infidelity broke the saint-like imagery that I had for him in Christ in Concrete. By the end of the movie it was rebuilt again. The strange thing about forgone conclusion is that you know what's coming and yet his death was just as horrifying (if not more so).
ReplyDelete2) In my eyes, a huge reminder of the book was the scene where Annunziata expresses concern about Geremio. The moment that she points out that he used to tell her "what happened on the jobs" sparked a reminder of the inevitable.