Slog - Comments on Blind Rage

Comment by Non

Non — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:59:10 -0800

I get your joke there, at the end, but really it is a little hurtful of a portrayal of a minority group.

And you're fat.

Comment by leek

leek — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:05:14 -0800

Does the movie actually portray how people-who-were-blind-beforehand handle things? You'd think they would be the only ones in the movie with their shit together.

Comment by Patti

Patti — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:11:27 -0800

The book was amazing, and profoundly depressing. A huge number of people go blind all at once - of course they're unable to deal with it, the whole society is unable to deal with it, and the remaining sighted people are wildly inhumane. It was one of those books that was so good, I'll never see the movie; I don't want the book experience spoiled if the movie sucks.

Comment by seatard

seatard — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:13:59 -0800

Have they even seen the movie?? - Oh yeah, sorry.

Comment by blank12357

blank12357 — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:16:49 -0800

I always liked "if you're considering murder-suicide, do the suicide part first" as a motto to live by. I think that was a Schmader. Perhaps we could add "if you're going to be outraged about a book, read it first"?

Using "read" in the broadest possible sense of course...

Comment by brett

brett — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:17:28 -0800

one of the most mind-blowing books i've ever read. probably skip the movie.

Comment by brett

brett — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:17:57 -0800

one of the most mind-blowing books i've ever read. probably skip the movie.

Comment by flamingbanjo

flamingbanjo — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:21:51 -0800

I wonder what they would think of this?

Comment by SaraH

SaraH — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:24:58 -0800

in the book the blind people behave much like anyone would, were they are locked up together with limited resources, no information, and no outside contact. also these are people who have lost their sight in the prime of their lives, over a few hours time with no medical explanation.
for the NFFTB to take this personally is ridiculous.
it's like saying that "Lord of the Flies" defames children

Comment by Mr. Poe

Mr. Poe — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:27:48 -0800

Blind people are blind. Who knew?

Comment by Gurldoggie

Gurldoggie — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:33:03 -0800

The book is one hell of a wild ride. Considering how much of the story takes place in total darkness (actually total whiteness) I'm curious as to what the film will actually look like.

Also worth noting that the people in the book who are blind before the tragedy have a distinct advantage over the bumbling newly afflicted.

Comment by David Schmader

David Schmader — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:34:56 -0800

Sarah @ 9 nails it.

(And yes, I've read the book, and loved it, despite the blind-on-blind gang-rapes on piles of feces. Can't wait to see how they work that in the movie.)

Comment by La Mareada

La Mareada — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:42:47 -0800

I've read other Samarago books, but not Blindness. Isn't it essentially a political allegory, like many of his other books? The "blindness" is really capitalism/religion/authoritarianism. This is kind of like expecting an Animal Farm movie to accurately portray the lives of animals living on a farm.

Comment by L

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:13:36 -0800

exactly, 9 and 11

WONDERFUL book, and I can't imagine anyone better than Julianne Moore to play the heroine. The Federation of the Blind didn't GET the book... it's not actually ABOUT blindness.

To repeat from 9, 'cause it deserves repeating:

it's like saying that "Lord of the Flies" defames children

Comment by Gitai

Gitai — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:11:26 -0800

Um, if I were suddenly stricken blind, I think I'd have a hell of a time carrying out the normal daily actions of life. After much training, I'm sure I'd be able to function, but seriously, at first, I'm sure there'd be days where I shit my pants cause I couldn't find a fucking bathroom.

Comment by mnm

mnm — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:32:07 -0800

i think it looks cool so there

Comment by PopTart

PopTart — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:34:31 -0800

There was a book called "The Day of the Triffids" published in the 50s (I think), with a similar premise, only everyone is blind because they looked at some sort of bright light. But a few people aren't blind. And, there are giant plants out to get everyone. I'm probably not making it sound appealing but it totally was a great read. When I heard about this movie it reminded me of that book. So, now I want to read Blindness because I'm curious about the similarities.

Comment by RHETT ORACLE

RHETT ORACLE — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:53:43 -0800

I fail to see what the hubbub is all about. Nicodemus.

Comment by A

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:20:54 -0800

The Canadians, of course, are more reasonable:

"CNIB is not planning any protest around the movie, Blindness," CNIB spokesperson Cathy Moore said yesterday. "In fact, we haven't even seen the film."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081002.wblindness02/BNStory/Entertainment/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20081002.wblindness02

Comment by onewink3

onewink3 — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:50:04 -0800

The book is absolutely hairraising, probably his strongest.

Can't comment on the flick, but a movie version that was pitch-black, shown in a pitch-black theater, now that might just be worth paying for.