The NY Times has a very cool article about the making of THE ROAD – or more specifically, the dynamics of the story’s central relationship, between “Father” Viggo Mortensen and “Son” Kodi Smit-McPhee. The adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel – about a post-apocalyptic world populated by stragglers and cannibals – has just wrapped filming in Pennsylvania, and is due in theaters this November, courtesy of Dimension Films.
What is explored in the article is the “realistic” approach to the horrifying story, and the effort avoid making this another MAD MAX-like vision of the future. “We’re trying to avoid the clichés of apocalypse and make this more like a natural disaster.”
Additionally, the article – as well as Mortensen – swoons over the effectiveness of 11-year old Smit-McPhee, who apparently gives a heartbreaking performance as the young son of Mortensen’s determined, protective Father (in the book, neither character is given a proper name). Also mentioned briefly – much to my delight – is actor Michael Kenneth Williams, who shows up in the film as a desperate thief. Fans of THE WIRE – pretty much the best television show I’ve ever seen – know Williams as the shotgun-toting “Omar.” He’s a great actor with a great face, and I hope this helps drive his career to even greater heights.
To read the entire article, click it HERE!