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All that I See, Absolute Horror

At Least Joe Won’t Be Able to Watch This / Seth Freilich

Trade News | November 4, 2008 | Comments (13)

I feel like a lot of folks aren’t familiar with Dalton Trumbo’s book, Johnny Got His Gun, or the 1971 film of the same name. While I haven’t read the book, I have seen the flick, which is a rather haunting tale of a guy name Joe, a dude who gets his shit fucked up by a mortar in World War I. He winds up in a military hospital in pretty bad shape, a quadruple amputee who also lost his face. He’s fully conscious and trapped in his own shell of a body, unable to figure out how to even communicate with the outside world until about halfway through the story (however, none of this stops him from still being able to pull some tail and get a blow job, at least in the movie version). Even though it’s been over 15 years since I’ve seen the flick, its representation of the tragedy of war has stuck with me (helped, no doubt, by its memorialization in Metallica’s song and video “One”).

Anyway, there was apparently a stage version of the story which has been filmed and is going to be released. And you know how they say “tragedy plus time equals comedy?” Well, the tragedy of Johnny Got His Gun has now, 30+ years later, been turned to comedy thanks to the fact that this travesty stars none other than “The OC’s” Benjamin McMcKenzie. Laugh amongst yourselves:


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Comments

I feel like a lot of folks aren't familiar with Dalton Trumbo's book, Johnny Got His Gun, or the 1971 film of the same name.

If it wasn't for the Metallica video, I know I wouldn't be. That said, I think the video familiarized a lot of people with the movie at least. Well, at least anyone who used to watch "Headbangers Ball".

That fact that this is being made into a comedy is a travesty. I can't watch the video (thanks, work!) and I have no idea who Benjamin McMcKenzie is, but I think I'm ok with that.

Depressing.

Posted by: ajax19 at November 4, 2008 3:09 PM

Oh Fuck me gently!

Posted by: Admin11 at November 4, 2008 3:12 PM

For fuck's sakes, I was BRUSHING MY EETH when I watched that! That is fucking HIGH larious. Dude from the OC just discovered acting! Quick - look like you see someone you know! Now look sad! Sadder! Quick - happy! Holy fuck - that is awesome. I need to spit.

Posted by: Farfalina at November 4, 2008 3:13 PM

I was gonna be all "Fuck you! I heart Ben Mackenzie and his delicious arms!" but then I watched the trailer and...can't. stop. laughing.

Posted by: jamiepants at November 4, 2008 3:22 PM

Read the book.
I was forced to read it at 15, struggled through it, and ended up loving it.
Read. The. Book.

Posted by: Courtie at November 4, 2008 3:38 PM

Wow. So many emotions rushing through me. After seeing this...anything is possible. What is next? I see a one woman show of Boxing Helena with Paris Hilton on the horizon. That would have about the same emotional weight.

I need to lie down.

Posted by: Rubble44 at November 4, 2008 5:10 PM

I watched the movie in college during an artsy film class and the imapact has yet to fade. I've been casually looking for it again, having forgotten the name. I wanted to show it to others.


The trailer made me want to cry for the film's sake - and I've never even seen the OC and haven't got the foggiest fucking clue who that "actor" was.

Posted by: JustM0 at November 4, 2008 5:43 PM

That is fucking moronic.

Ignore this and read the book. The book is spectacular. And watch the original movie with Donald Sutherland as Jesus. Trippy!

Somewhere I heard that all books about war end up being anti-war books.

Posted by: shelleyh at November 4, 2008 6:03 PM

I read the book. Interestingly, the author no longer was so anti-war during WW2, when it got a lot of bad press, or during Korea even, but he was back to being on his statement during Vietnam.

Posted by: Pheagan at November 4, 2008 6:36 PM

I've never read the book or seen the movie, but if the main character does nothing but brood and pout endlessly, then the casting is spot on.

Posted by: Melissa at November 4, 2008 8:10 PM

I had never heard of this book. I will skip this film, but I will try to read the book. Yet another volume on my to-be-read pile.

Posted by: rlr260 at November 4, 2008 11:23 PM

The reading of this book and the viewing of the movie were both required when I was in high school. The impact they left has always been with me. This remake makes me sick. At first I thought it was another McCain ad!

Posted by: MissNev at November 5, 2008 3:38 PM


This is my third time trying to post a response. For whatever reason, none of my previous responses were posted.

I just want to point out that both Variety and the Hollywood Reporter have given positive reviews to the movie. Variety called Ben Mckenzie's acting a " bravura thespian workout", while the Hollywood Reporter described it as "tour de force."

You can read the reviews here, and others as well.

http://www.johnnygothisgunthemovie.com/reviews.htm

Posted by: el at November 8, 2008 7:57 PM