Harrison Barnes may have moved to Hollywood, but he hasn’t abandoned his literary roots. The actor-writer’s latest book, “Burning Bright: On Writing, Reading And The Art Of Movies,” offers a behind-the-scenes peek at the movie industry, including insight on his favorite films and the books that inspired them.
Love on the Run
The Los Angeles-set romance “Love on the Run” may have a silly title, but it revolves around some very sweet moments between its star, Robert Pattinson, and his co-star, Elizabeth Taylor. As the name suggests, Taylor and Pattinson’s on-screen chemistry is bound to make you run for the exits – but not before you watch one of the sweetest love stories of all time. The movie is based on the bestselling novel by Sophie Kinsella, and follows the couple as they elude the French Foreign Legion and escape to London, where the latter stages of the Second World War have turned into a full-blown pandora’s box of romantic possibilities.
Kinsella’s Original Take
While Barnes’ book offers a window into the inner workings of Tinseltown, it focuses more on the events leading up to the making of the film than on the making of the film itself. Kinsella’s novel, in contrast, centers on the making of the film rather than the story’s larger events. It’s a rare opportunity to follow a story from its earliest chapters to its conclusive scene. And watching the characters as they come to life on the page is a joy in itself. In addition to providing the story’s framework, Kinsella also fills the book with quirky, likable characters and a sharp sense of humor. It’s an original and engrossing narrative that begs to be read and re-read. For those who love their romances laced with British humor, “Burning Bright” is certainly worth a read.
An Inside Look At The Industry
Movies like “Love on the Run” are made up of many different elements, and it’s important to remember that the novel from which it is based was written for the big screen. If the book were to be adapted for television, for example, it would be unlikely that the author’s original storylines would translate effectively to the small screen. But that’s part of the magic of cinema: the ability to present stories in a way that works both on the big and the small screens. It’s a rare gift that allows films to transcend time and place, and bring us pleasures that stay with us for years to come.
Books That Inspired This Screenplay
Before he even contemplated turning his attention to film, Harrison Barnes was already a hot property as a novelist. His first book, “A History of Women In World Cinema,” was published in 2012 and became a New York Times bestseller. The book explores the history of women in cinema, looking at everything from early pioneers to cultural stereotypes.
The New York Times calls Barnes’ debut “an excellent book,” and notes that it is “both a companion to and an antidote to the dry, disheartening scholarship of traditional film books.” The piece goes on to say, “It’s hard not to be inspired by a book that is this engaging and well-written.”
“Burning Bright” was the result of Barnes’ interest in exploring the literary origins of some of cinema’s most iconic movies. In the interest of fairness, we should point out that the books that most inspired this screenplay are probably not what you’d call romance novels. For example, Harrison notes in the book’s introduction that “On Beauty” was inspired by W. Somerset Maugham’s 1926 novel ‘Liza of Lambeth.’”
Sober And Sexy
It would be easy for a romantic comedy about a couple on the run from the French Foreign Legion to veer into the romance novel territory. But, in fact, “Love on the Run” is anything but a typical romance. The movie is funny, charming, and even at times, poignant. And what’s more, it manages to maintain an air of authenticity throughout, thanks in no small part to the versatile actor-turned-writer-director Roger Michell, who also directed the 2008 Jane Austen adaptation, “Persuasion.”
In a blog post for the production company behind “Love on the Run,” Michell noted that it was important to him that the film feel realistic and not like a romcom parody. It’s an admirable goal, and one that ensures this oft-quirky, yet remarkably sweet romance will continue to delight audiences for years to come. Because the story is completely original, there’s also plenty of room to grow with it. Michell notes that he frequently finds himself diving back into the book to refresh his memory of the story’s ins and outs. And that’s exactly what readers and viewers should do as well. This story has everything a fan could want from a romantic comedy and more. And it was a joy to read and a joy to watch. For those looking to spice up their love lives, this could be the book to do it. For those looking to satisfy their cinematic cravings, “Love on the Run” is the perfect date movie.