director: Mark Moskowitz
“You were always such a sociable child. Someone would speak to you and you would pull out a book and start to read it.” —- Mrs. Moskowitz to her son
Stone Reader is one of the best films that I have ever watched and as a result is almost impossible to review. On those rare occasions when a film seems to “speak” to a viewer, the whys and hows can be nearly impossible to nail down. This is particularly apparent when a film is new, when one has only a short period to digest it. Stone Reader was released this year and it is my choice for the year’s best film, but beyond that it is one of a handful of films that have ever spoke to me, seemed somehow made for me, and perhaps the most difficult to articulate why.
Moskowitz originally bought The Stones of Summer when he was nineteen after reading one review. Moskowitz began to read the novel, but couldn’t get through it. Years pass. From college to career, from wife to children, from move to move, The Stones of Summer is brought along. Then, one day, Moskowitz begins to read the novel again. This time he is entranced. The novel moves him in such a way, Moskowitz wants to read other novels by Mossman. There are none. Mossman seems to have vanished from the earth. Thus, Stone Reader is born, to find out what happened to Dow Mossman. The search is not a straight line. There are numerous digressions along the way, as Moskowitz interviews writers, literary critics, and editors, all about books and reading. It becomes apparent that Dow Mossman is only one part of this highly personal film.
The day after I first watched Stone Reader in late April, I checked bookfinder.com about possibly purchasing the out of print Mossman novel. It was selling for $1,000. Thanks to Stone Reader, Dow Mossman’s The Stones of Summer is back in print and can be purchased at any Barnes and Noble for $20. This is quite an accomplishment.
Reaction to Stone Reader has been widely positive, but a few detractors have arisen. They point to the fact that clearly certain scenes have been staged for effect and that if one believes the film’s chronology, then Moskowitz must be one of the worst researchers in literary or film history. I can see some of the detractors points and yet dismiss them all. Stone Reader moved me, but not in a ponderous, self important way. Watching Stone Reader is like discussing books with a friend over a cup of coffee. One feels good when the friend has read the same books and can discuss the titles, but, in the end, the greater enjoyment is walking away with recommendations for many other titles for future reading.
I am a reader myself, if far from the degree of Moskowitz (films first, books second). I, too, have loved novels. In sophomore year college, my honor’s teacher assigned Jerzky Kosinski’s The Painted Bird. I was, and to some degree still am, a slow reader, yet that novel I finished in two days and felt an emotional response for that few films have given me. Watching Stone Reader reminded me of that reading experience. As a film geek, much of my life is spent in movie theaters, video stores, and in front of the DVD player. My first love film sometimes pushes my second love books out of the way. After both viewings of Stone Reader I found myself buying book after book and reading cover to cover to cover to cover for months afterwards. Stone Reader reminds one that reading is both knowledgeable and entertaining and love for books can change lives. It does this through the medium of film. Stone Reader unites my two loves together in a way no other film has ever done, and for my friends who like Moskowitz preferred to read than talk to relatives, with Stone Reader they have finally got their Woodstock.
[ "Kill Bill" | A.I. Artifial Intelligence | "Eureka" | "Memento" | "The Night is Young" | "Element of Crime" | "Requiem for a Dream" | "Wonder Boys" | "Conan the Barbarian" | "Amarcord" | "The Decalogue" ]
** All Film Reviews are by John Dodd (A.K.A. Crazy John). John is a graduate of Western Illinois University with a Master's Degree in English. He is a writer, reviewer, and a total film junkie. In his own words, "I'll watch anything once." John's goal is to have one of his plays performed in New York City and to review films for Variety. He also has two available spec screenplays. If you have any questions or comments or would like to contact John about his plays or screenplays, send them to jrd_73@yahoo.com .
Mark's Screenwriting Page