But one director actually managed to make this “unfilmable,” difficult-to-read novel into a divisive film.
The result is a fascinating one that has divided both film critics and fans of the book alike.
Strick’s work has evidently suffered much the same fate.
Image by Federico Napoli
Why Was ‘Ulysses’ Deemed Unfilmable?
James Joyce’s novel is, rather famously, about nothing.
Very few novels haveone explanatory outline for how to read themwritten by the author himself, let alone two.
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Stream-of-consciousness is a high-end literary style that is, essentially, just the character’s thoughts.
Another tough aspect about filmingUlyssesis thatit is one of the most revered, obsessed-over books ever written.
No, ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’ is not on this list.
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How Did Joseph Strick Adapt ‘Ulysses’ For the Silver Screen?
Strick’s adaptation ofUlyssesis a fascinating watch for anyone who has struggled through Joyce’s novel.
Film fans prizefaithful adaptations to their most cherished books.
The film’s opening scene, faithfully from the novel depicting Buck Mulligan, played byT.P.
The discussions are rather limited, though.
It leaves the film just a little wanting.
So, How Did the Adaptation Do?
The film that Strick produced doesa stellar job at adapting parts of Joyce’s dense and titanically influential novel.
It is a strong exploration offemale empowermentand a tender love story.
It will surprise any viewer who is yet to read the novel and impress those who are loyalists.
The film is also weird.
It exists easily alongsidethis list of weird filmsfor how zany it is.
Of course, the novel is about as weird as novels come.
The film is also absolutely hilarious.
The novel is funny, butthe film dials up the humor to laughable degrees.
The film uses humor to tackle one of the novel’s more prevalent themes: antisemitism.
Audiences do like to laugh, sometimes.
Films being banned in the Republic of Ireland isnothing newfor a country that is decidedly Catholic.
Strick’s film remains the benchmark for Ulyssean adaptations, and its cult status today is well-earned.
The film is weird, funny, modernist, and imperfect.
Joyce probably would have preferred it that way, anyhow.
Ulyssesis available to purchase on Amazon in the U.S.
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