Light in the Piazza

Okay, so I didn't see the movie, but the stage version. But I did read the book before I went to see the play. It took me about as long to read as it took to watch the play. There's probably not really enough "meat" to turn into a musical. But a couple of catchy songs could have helped (there were none) or maybe a few added twists (they were there, but very, very boring)

"Light in the Piazza" is the story of a mother who has been raising her 10-year-old - for 16 years. An "accident" (non-specified in the book, a kick from a horse in the stage version) has left Clara with the mind and emotions of a 10-year-old, though her body has continued to develop. An Italian boy falls in love with her, and her mother (Mrs Johnson) only makes half-hearted attempts to explain to the family Clara's condition.

I found Elizabeth Spencer's commentary on the Italian environment (nothing is ever expected from Clara that she is not equipped for) interesting, and curious. Are Italian women really so shallow? But the stage version does not really touch on the differences between Italy and America, instead only indirectly suggesting that Clara's capacities are enough for Fabrizio, without addressing the country in general.

In the book Mrs Johnson gets lost in Italy, and realizes how easily Clara has "become" Italian. On the stage it is Clara who is lost, and we lose this moment of revelation.

The book is thin on plot, but sweet and engaging. The stage production is simply thin, with no saving features.

Riding In Cars with Boys

This was a well-written glimpse into the teenage and early-20s of author Beverly Ann Dinofrio (BAD) Dealing with a pregnancy in her senior year of high school, Beverly found herself in a marriage she never really wanted. The movie glosses over some of her early slips into alcohol and drugs, and ignores a pivotal occurence in the novel, the fact that Beverly learns her parents cannot afford for her to go to college. However, the film does add the interesting scene with Beverly and her ex-husband, living in squalor. He signs a release behind the back of his new wife, and gives his son (who he does not recognize) a piece of advice that finally frees the young man. The tone of the movie was a departure from the struggles seen in the book, but both were enjoyable.