'Film adaptations are risky' OR 'Why I love J.D. Salinger'

Will Eisner's 'Contract with God' graphic novel has been announced as a forthcoming film adaptation.

Is this really necessary? Yet another excellent work of non-cinema is being forced into the film medium. Yes, sometimes it works. But usually you wind up with something wretched.

If it isn't a beloved comic, it's a novel, toy, video game or board game. OK, I'll admit, the 'Clue' movie was kind of fun. And the Lord of the Rings trilogy was a faithful delight, but most of the movies resulting from these ruthless cash-grabs are lame. They are often misfires, not capturing what made the original material so great. 'Watchmen' movie, I'm looking at you.

I always admired J.D. Salinger, not just for his writing prowess, but for his resolve to never allow 'Catcher in the Rye' to be made into a film. Knock off films like 'Igby Goes Down' still occurred, but there has yet to be a phoney film featuring Holden Caulfield as a protagonist.

I've got just one plea to make to the producers of Will Eisner's 'Contract with God' movie. I'm referring specifically to Bob Shreck, Michael Ruggerio, Tommy Oliver and Mark Rabinowitz. Please, PLEASE do not allow the material to be de-Jewified. What makes Eisner's material so powerful in general, and 'Contract with God' in particular, is Eisner's ability to reach into the depths of the American Jewish experience and allow the audience to use it as a lens in which they can filter the travails of the human condition. Basically, what I'm saying is don't f%#* this up. If you do, the movie will be very stilted, play at a few festivals, and wind up in the bargain bin at Blockbuster.

Let this be an American Splendor, and not a Marmaduke. Narrative liberties are a given when working in a different medium. Just don't change the story.

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