Directing with Emotion

Directing with Emotion
A young man is brutally murdered. A grieving mother sees the killer around town. The father decides to take revenge. This simple plot line worked its way to the silver screen by way of Andre Dubus’ “Killings.” Although slightly altered, the story became the critically acclaimed film In the Bedroom. The characters themselves have remained the same, as well as the events that drive the story. The changes were made simply to create sympathy on the basis of emotions of the characters. Throughout the movie, many of the same exact lines that Dubus created can be found. In order for the movie to be two hours, the writers chose to make Frank, the murdered young man, a more three-dimensional character. The movie is not a flashback and does not begin with a funeral. This allows for more anticipation at the end of the film. The only change in character is the Mary Ann’s name. Mary Ann is a very young name whereas Natalie, her name in the movie seems less ju...