June 15

I agree with Molly’s idea of having the film open with Blue and her father driving in their Volvo. Prior to attending to St. Gallaway, Blue’s relationship with her father was her entire life. Their bond is the foundation of Blue’s identity. Everything that transpires throughout the story, the changes Blue undergoes and how she views the world, builds on this foundation.

Perhaps the film could start with a series of comedic scenes of Blue and her father traveling together in assorted locations. Blue would get progressively older as the montage went on. There could be shots of them at different motels, houses, universities and sights around the country. A U.S. Rand-McNally map with pins and lines drawn with marker to show routes could appear between the scenes. The goal would be to capture their unique relationship and show the viewer how Blue developed into the bookish perceptive teenager she is when she becomes involved with Hannah and the Bluebloods. There could be shots of the two driving in the Volvo on long stretches of road engaging in the pastimes described in the book. (sonnet-athons, memorizing The Wasteland, vocab flash cards, author analogies, etc.)

I agree with Steven’s position on the voiceovers. Pessl’s fantastical use of language and imagery is what makes the book not just another high school drama story. I think that Blue’s most important and relevant statements should be used as voiceovers in the movie. This will give the viewer the chance to get in Blue’s head the way the reader is throughout the book.

-Keegan