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You Can’t Always Get What You Want
By Marc | February 22, 2008
I had seen the movie, The Count of Monte Cristo (2002), a few years ago, but I had never read the book by Alexandre Dumas and always wanted to. So, fast forward to roughly a month ago and I had the opportunity to listen to the audio version downloaded from our local library. I listened to it at my job while I worked.
If you have never had the experience of the book by Dumas, let me tell you: it is long. 117 chapters. The unabridged audio book lasts 43 hours, 17 minutes on 35 CDs (or “parts” when downloaded). One unabridged printing of the book has over 1400 pages (my Bible has 1100).
For a book that long, there is really very little action. It’s mostly revenge, mind games, and subtle (and not-so-subtle) manipulation. There is also romance, humor, heartbreak, tenderness, and cold calculating callousness. For someone who enjoys bad action movies and worse comedies, I found it hard to put it down.
But it wasn’t the same story I remembered from the movie. The movie was big on action and low on the psychological torture. It also differed on about every other point except for the part about the prison break and most of the names. But I still wanted to see the movie again. I know I enjoyed watching it, but I desperately wanted to tear it apart.
I wanted to be that snob who found pleasure in pointing out every inaccuracy. Like the rabid fans at a Harry Potter movie opening, I would unleash my hoity-toity cultured fury at the flickering screen. I started to, but then it hit me…
This was a pretty good movie. Sure, it doesn’t follow the book. Sure, the backgrounds, motivations, and outcomes of the characters weren’t true to the page. Who cares? Making a faithful adaptation is more something along the lines of an extended PBS mini-series, but not for a major Hollywood theatrical production.
(There is a 7-hour French version with subtitles starring Gérard Depardieu that I would like to see sometime, though. Are you reading, Julie?)
But I was deprived in my expectations twice. I wanted so badly for the book to be more like the movie. I wanted swashbuckling action and suspense. Then, I wanted desperately to blast the movie for not being like the book. I wanted to be the hand of judgment that Edmond Dantès thought he was, dispensing my righteous opinions on the villainous plastic-encased DVD. “This is a pantomime for the crowds, those unwashed masses. How dare they make a mockery of great literature!”
But with the acceptance of the movie as a movie and not a direct adaptation, I came to a place of peace. The novel is amazing as the great work of literature that it is, without the flying fists of fury and flashing foils. The movie is really good as the box-office hit it was meant to be, with some incredible acting.
I needed that peace, and I will continue to need that peace. Not just in this one minor event, but in everything.
How many things in your life have you planned, played out in your head before they happened? Have you imagined what will happen when events are laid out in a specific order? From someone asking you about your funky new shirt to your entire career path?
I don’t have to tell you what might be true in your own life. Where I am now isn’t where I expected to be when I made the various plans years ago. I don’t have the job or the family I intended. My house isn’t in a gated suburban community. My body isn’t in the best shape.
But, I’ve got so many blessings that I wouldn’t have if my life were any different. I couldn’t imagine a better suited or more delightful spouse than Julie to spend my years. The boys are also a really bright spot in my life. My job isn’t the one I think I’m made for, but it has flexible hours that allow me to spend extra time with my family when I need to. We don’t have a lot of things, but we’ve found happiness because of not being trapped by possessions.
That Rolling Stones song says it: “You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, you just might find you get what you need.”
More and more, day by day, I’m coming in tune with my experiences. If I get past my own ego and what I think I want, and just see things for what they are or meant to be, I find some peace and happiness in the things I’m handed.
I wish that same for you. Find the peace in the book as a book, the movie as a movie, and your life as a joy in every aspect.
(Note to self: contact PBS about potential mini-series idea.)
Topics: Encouragement, Reviews | No Comments »
