
The Words is a 2012 movie written by Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal, which pretty much went under the radar. Well, under my radar anyway – which is highly unusual because it stars the not-so-bad-looking Bradley Cooper (who also happens to be a pretty brilliant actor :)) and it’s about a struggling author, trying to get his manuscript published (ring any bells?) I was intrigued by the premise; an author who keeps having his work rejected, stumbles across a leather portfolio in an antique shop in Paris (as you do) which only happens to contain the most amazing manuscript he’s ever read. And therein lies the conflict; what should he do? There is no name on the manuscript, and it is so old that the author is probably dead by now. Would anyone ever know if he passed the writing off as his own?
“Do you think you can steal a man’s life and expect there’ll be no price to pay?”
The plot was so thoroughly engaging, so very thought-provoking that I’ve watched it several times since. Plagiarism is a huge issue at the moment and I think this film raises a lot of interesting questions. I won’t give away anymore of the plot, so as not to hinder your enjoyment, but here is the blurb just to whet your appetite 🙂
The Words follows young writer Rory Jansen who finally achieves long sought after literary success after publishing the next great American novel. There’s only one catch – he didn’t write it. As the past comes back to haunt him and his literary star continues to rise, Jansen is forced to
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I saw it too and it provoked interesting post-viewing conversation between myself and my husband (a screenwriter).
I just kept wanting him to put his arse on the seat and just write…but then there’d have been no movie 🙂
You’re just like me – I keep arguing against plots and then realise that’s what makes the story! An interesting point is when the publisher reveals that his own subsequent work wouldn’t have been good enough without ‘The Words’ that got his foot in the door. Ouch 😦 Poor old Bradders!